Countless studies show that social interaction benefits seniors’ mental and physical health, while loneliness harms both. Humans are naturally social, and companionship and connection remain important throughout life. Because of this, it’s essential to set aside discomfort or embarrassment and openly discuss seniors and sex—recognizing the role intimacy and emotional connection play in seniors’ quality of life.
Studying seniors’ sexuality
The National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA) surveys roughly 2,000 Americans ages 50–80 two to three times per year to collect data on topics affecting older adults. Led by researchers at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, the poll brings together physicians, social workers, social scientists, and analysts to inform the public, healthcare providers, policymakers, and senior advocates about older adults’ health, healthcare experiences, and related policy issues.
In May of this year, NPHA—working with AARP and the Michigan Medicine academic medical center—released results from a survey they conducted in October 2017 about seniors and sex. The study sampled just over 1,000 Americans ages 65–80 with demographics representative of the U.S. population to understand seniors’ views on relationships and sexual health.
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Seniors’ perspectives on sex
The NPHA findings challenge common stereotypes and reveal important differences by gender, age, and health. Key results include:
Seniors are sexually active—or at least interested: Forty percent of people ages 65–80 reported being sexually active. Nearly three-quarters of respondents had a romantic partner, and 54 percent of those with a partner were sexually active. Regardless of activity level, nearly two-thirds said they were at least interested in sex, more than half said sex mattered to their quality of life, and almost three-quarters said they were satisfied with their current sex life.
Many seniors aren’t seeking help for sexual health issues: Nearly one in five older men reported using medications or supplements to improve sexual function in the past two years; only 3 percent of women did the same. Overall, just 17 percent of older adults said they had discussed sexual health with a healthcare provider in the past two years. Among those who did, most initiated the conversation themselves rather than having it raised by their provider, despite the close link between sexual health and overall well-being.
Overall health correlates with sexual activity: Forty-five percent of respondents who rated their health as excellent, very good, or good reported being sexually active. By contrast, only 22 percent of those who rated their health as fair or poor were sexually active, and just 28 percent of that less healthy group said they were extremely or very satisfied with their sex lives.
Age affects sexual activity and interest: Seniors ages 65–70 were nearly twice as likely to be sexually active as those in their late 70s. About one-third of people in their late 60s said they were extremely or very interested in sex, compared with fewer than one in five among respondents in their late 70s.
A significant gender gap exists in sexual interest: Roughly one-third of women reported being sexually active, compared with about half of men. Women were somewhat more likely to report being extremely or very satisfied with their sex lives. Eighty-four percent of men said sex was an important part of a romantic relationship versus 69 percent of women. The largest difference was in interest level: half of men ages 65–80 said they were extremely or very interested in sex, compared with only 12 percent of women in the same age range.
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Using survey results to improve seniors’ lives
The NPHA survey makes clear that many older adults remain sexually active or at least interested in intimacy. Retirement communities and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) should respect residents’ desires for romantic relationships and create environments that support safe, consensual intimacy. Sexual health is an important component of overall quality of life, regardless of age or health status.
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Healthcare providers should take a more proactive role initiating conversations about sexual health with older patients. Physicians can inform patients about treatment options for sexual dysfunction, address medication or medical-condition side effects that reduce libido, and suggest supportive resources. Open, nonjudgmental discussions help seniors access care that can improve emotional and physical well-being.
The survey also underscores the need to discuss sexually transmitted infections with sexually active older adults. Some seniors may feel protected from pregnancy and therefore choose unprotected sex, but rates of STDs—including syphilis, chlamydia, genital herpes, and HIV—are rising among older age groups. Medicare covers certain STD screenings and counseling, a benefit that many older adults have used.