Throughout my clinical training and practice, I have been surprised by the number of times that sexual issues have emerged as an unexpectedly central feature in my work with older adults. I can vividly remember my own internal reaction on hearing one of my elderly female patients tell me that she was date raped a few years after the death of her elderly husband-when she was 68 years old. I can see in my mind's eye the blood splattered on the floor of an inpatient unit from an elderly man who smashed his arm through a window, furious that his antidepressant medication made it impossible to climax through masturbation. On a much less dramatic but equally important note, I think about the elderly amputee who told me softly about his fears of resuming sexual activity with his wife of 25 years. I also think about the elderly woman whose inability to take herself shopping to find fashionable, comfortable clothes to fit over her hunched shoulders and large breasts helped precipitate a serious depression. In sum, I learned early on that elderly sexuality is not just about how many times a week someone makes love. It is my hope that sharing these experiences and introducing the related theories, research, and interventions will assist other clinicians in dealing with these often challenging and clinically demanding situations. Without my patients, this text would not have been possible.

Despite continuing ageist beliefs that sexuality is a privilege designed only for the young and physically healthy, research continues to indicate that the majority of older adults maintain interest in sexuality and may engage in fulfilling sexual behavior well into their last decade of life. Unfortunately, many professionals remain unaware of general knowledge of elderly sexuality, including the expected and normal physiological changes that can occur within the context of both male and female aging. The presence of chronic illness and other medical problems certainly can influence the expression of an aging adult’s sexuality, and emergent research suggests that there are effective ways to cope with menopause, heart disease, arthritis, incontinence, diabetes, sleep disorders, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction (ED), among others. Dramatic changes have taken place within the last decade alone in terms of non-surgical treatment for incontinence and ED, with forms of sex therapy, biofeedback, and PDE-5 inhibitors. Regrettably, many aging adults and their care providers remain unaware of their increased risk factors for STDs, including HIV infection via lack of knowledge, changes in the vaginal lining, and typical declines in immune function. Estimates suggest that by the year 2020, more than half of all individuals living with HIV will be over the age of 50. Although some high quality professional books are available for clinicians, they tend to be disjointed research bibliographies, edited volumes on a narrowly focused aspect of elderly sexuality, or texts that are more than 10 years old. With the extent of new information available regarding sexuality and aging, an up to date, empirically based text is necessary.

Across the globe, both in developed and developing countries, the population is rapidly ageing. In the fields of sexual and relationship therapy and sexual health, ageing has not been an issue of priority. Too often, ageing is thought of as a process that relates to problems, deficits, and taboos, and less to pleasure, change, growth and diversity. It is treated as a separate life stage and not a process throughout the lifecycle. Sexuality and sexual health are important parts of the lives of older people, as they have a significant impact on quality of life, psychological well-being and physical health, as well as social and family life. This book brings together contributions from those currently writing on and researching ageing as it relates, in a therapeutic context, to gender identity, to sex and sexuality, and to intimate relationships. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

The updated Third Edition of Developing Occupation-Centered Programs With the Community continues to provide an excellent step-by-step workbook approach to designing and implementing a program for the community. Inside Developing Occupation-Centered Programs With the Community, Third Edition, Dr. Linda Fazio includes the importance of community asset identification and development toward sustainability. The Third Edition includes new and updated content on evidence-based practice; program evaluation at multiple levels; funding; nonprofits and social entrepreneurship. Additionally, new trending issues of interest to programmers include human trafficking, post-combat programming for military veterans and their families, arts-based programming for all ages, and programming to meet current needs of the well-elderly. Features of the Third Edition: Workbook format offers the instructor and the student options for how to use the text in a classroom or independently in an internship or residency. The order of the programming process, chapter content order, summaries, and format of exercises has been retained to ease transition for instructors using previous editions of the text. The program “story” section has been retained, along with author’s notes on what is currently happening with these programs and other related topic areas New content has been added in program sustainability, the assessment and building of community assets, and consensus organizing in communities. More developed content is offered about the structure and function of nonprofit organizations as well as the role and function of the social entrepreneur who does programming for these organizations. Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom. Developing Occupation-Centered Programs With the Community, Third Edition is an excellent introductory tool and is a valuable resource for occupational therapy students at all levels, as well as experienced practitioners in a clinical setting.

Now in its fourth edition trusted textbook Older People: Issues and Innovations in Care provides a unique collection of conversations and commentaries by leading international and local experts on a range of contemporary issues around the care of older people. Featuring six new chapters, current research and policy changes, the esteemed author team continue to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary healthcare in providing a comprehensive, person-centred approach to care. This edition encourages readers to explore care issues, innovations and change, and to utilise evidence-based practice to improve the care of older people and their families. - Editors' comments precede each chapter, providing a snapshot of the issues addressed. - Dementia care has an increased focus. New chapters include: - Caring for older people: issues for consumers - Younger people in residential aged care facilities - Health and care of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - Alzheimer's dementia: neuropsychology, early diagnosis and intervention - Self-esteem, dignity and finding meaning in dementia - My journey of heartbreak: my parents and Alzheimer's disease. - Vignettes highlight innovative approaches to care that result in improved health outcomes for older people. - Key points are woven through the text to reiterate vital information relevant to nurses and aged care workers. - Reflective questions encourage critical thinking as an instrument for improving practice. - In-text references are made to video interviews available on the Evolve site. This text reflects new thinking in care; include the ideas and experiences of policy analysts, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and the consumer experience mainly from Australia but with international contributions and be based on contemporary research. It will also point readers to 'the evidence' where it exists, and include vignettes of practice and 'video' clips where appropriate.

This edition captures the underlying new approach in patient centred care and thinking from a multidisciplinary perspective. It highlights the most recent ideas and experiences of policy analysts, nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and the consumer experience from both Australia and Internationally. Contemporary research compliments the vignettes of practice and in conjunction with accompanying 'video' clips serve to capture the realities of caring for older people in our society. - Change in focus of health care system with the patient centered care taking precedence and this new philosophy is incorporated into the third edition - Key focus on issues and innovations in aged care, with evidence-based examples and clinical vignettes included throughout the new edition - Cases are incorporated into each chapter to re-enforce and highlight many issues faced by nurses and health care workers in aged care - Written by experts in the field of aged care - Accompanying DVD, provides video clips of interviews with health practitioners and it highlights innovations to health care demands; issues such as dementia and broader aging issues. These serve to re-enforce the underpinning interdisciplinary and innovative approach of the third edition. - An Evolve ebooks will be available of this title

Care of the older person is characterized by increasing incidence of chronic and acute diseases, with many patients suffering from several conditions simultaneously. The susceptibility to disease increases not only because of physiological factors relating to the aging process, but also due to changes in lifestyle, such as decreased mobility. These factors are particularly true of women, who tend to live longer and who undergo more dramatic physiologic changes, such as those associated with the menopause. This book is designed to educate gynecologists and other healthcare professionals about these issues. It draws upon the experience of specialists in a variety of clinical and non-clinical specialities, reviews current knowledge of the problems encountered in caring for the elderly female patient, and suggests guidelines for best practice.

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY ‘This wide-ranging and well-researched book goes well beyond the traditional confines of reproductive psychology. It expertly interweaves evidence on the biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that affect the reproductive development, behaviours, and decision-making of both women and men. As well as the expected chapters on sexual development, pregnancy and birth, and artificial reproduction, it addresses sex and gender development across the lifespan, from childhood to old age; parenthood; and reproductive issues for under-represented groups such as homosexual men and women, intersex individuals, and those who are childless by choice. The book will be a valuable reference for psychologists and sociologists, as well as midwives, gynaecologists and obstetricians, and indeed anyone with research or clinical interests that intersect with reproduction and with gender.’ Christina Lee, Professor of Health Psychology, University of Queensland ‘This book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to psychological aspects of reproductive health throughout the lifespan. Drawing on psychological theory and a wealth of empirical research, the importance of psychological factors in reproductive health is clearly demonstrated, conceptualized within a broadly bio-psycho-social model. The coverage of a broad range of topics, from foetal growth to menopause, including adolescence, menstruation, contraception, abortion, fertility, pregnancy and post-natal experience along the way, is a great strength. This book will become a key resource for health psychologists, nurses, and medical students who wish to understand psychological aspects of reproductive experience. ’ Jane M. Ussher, Professor of Women’s Health Psychology, University of Western Sydney and Author of The Madness of Women: Myth and Experience This much-needed resource brings together the most up-to-date and relevant research from a variety of disciplines to give a comprehensive account of the psychological factors surrounding reproductive health today. Olga van den Akker provides a multidisciplinary exploration of all stages of the reproductive life span, from embryonic, infant, child and adolescent sexual and reproductive development through reproductive and sexual health in adulthood and old age. The book addresses the psychological influences on and impacts of, sex, gender and reproduction as well as adjustment to life after sexual or reproductive success, failure or disease and disability. Together, the wide variety of topics are illuminating and challenging, fostering a deeper understanding of the context of reproductive health through the life span.

This is the first book to integrate theoretical insights into sexuality, sexual health and ageing, with research findings from studies conducted with older people and the professionals that work with them. It will be of interest to students, researchers, practitioner and policymakers working within gerontology, sociology, psychology, social work, nursing and medicine.

An exemplary team of professionals provides a comprehensive look at sex education, the heated debate over federal controls, current research and practice, programs, politics, legislation, and cultural and religious issues related to sex and sexuality education. In the groundbreaking Sexuality Education: Past, Present, and Future, the history, practices, and politics of sexuality education are explained. Respected educators, counselors, and therapists marshal both research and educated opinion to offer insights into exactly what is meant by "sex education," what the various approaches are, what "age appropriate" lessons are supported by most professionals, and the impact of government policies. Noting that the need for sexuality education has expanded to adults, from new parents to senior citizens, this unique work also takes readers into classrooms and makes them privy to conversations representing everyone from elementary school students to nursing home residents. These comments reveal the range of unanswered questions about sex—questions that are important for psychological, as well as physical health. In addition, the contributors explore ongoing issues in sexuality education, such as how to present "culturally competent" lessons that include consideration of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. The experts also examine sexuality education in other countries, the challenges those countries face, and their victories over unplanned pregnancy and STDs in the global effort to preserve sexual health.