Talking about Sexuality and Intimacy with Women Spousal Caregivers: Perspectives of Service Providers

Abstract

This article reports the findings of an exploratory study examining service provider perceptions and experiences of addressing sexuality and intimacy with women spousal caregivers. The caregiver-provider encounter is examined, and challenges faced by service providers in addressing sexuality are considered. Themes identified include ambivalence and discomfort, personal and institutional barriers, meanings attributed to sexuality and intimacy, and lack of opportunities to discuss experiences. Strategies to overcome silence and invisibility on the part of service providers in the health and social services system are considered.

‘When it faded in her … it faded in me’: a qualitative study exploring the impact of care-giving on the experience of spousal intimacy for older male care-givers

“…Given the importance of sexual and emotional intimacy for quality of life in ageing and care-giving (Davies et al , 2012; Roelofs et al , 2017), it is noteworthy that the findings did not reveal any evidence of discussions with external support providers around intimacy. It could be suggested that not only are male care-givers unlikely to ask for support around spousal intimacy, due to their ‘independent’ approach to care-giving (Hong and Coogle, 2014), but that external support providers are hesitant to offer support in this area (Brotman et al , 2016; Haesler et al , 2016). Finally, findings from the current study indicated that future support for spousal male care-givers should consider a tailored approach which includes recognition of gender as a factor in coping, and acknowledges that support for older male care-givers should align with dominant masculine norms.…”

“…There is also evidence to suggest that female health-care staff have less-permissible attitudes in their evaluation of sexual appropriateness than their male counterparts (Haesler et al , 2016). Brotman et al (2016) go further to point out that the age and gender of health-care professionals affected their comfort levels in this area, and that although staff understood the importance of discussing sexuality, they often felt ‘awkward’ about raising such a personal issue or assumed that it was not a priority for the care-giver. Findings such as these would be particularly important to consider in planning future support for male care-givers.…”

“…Studies with heterosexual older couples have demonstrated that ongoing intimacy can improve quality of life, and physical and mental wellbeing (Droes et al ., 2006; Hayes and Boylstein, 2009; Davies et al , 2012). It has also been found that for spousal care-givers (male and female), satisfaction with intimacy significantly contributes to care-giver wellbeing (Nogueira et al , 2015; Brotman et al , 2016). According to Svetlik et al (2005), declining intimacy can result in negative perceptions about the quality of the relationship and consequently higher care-giver burden.…”