Intimacy, Sexuality, and Early-Stage Dementia the Changing Marital Relationship
ACT_10_2_63-77 10/4/09 06:25 PM Page 63 RESEARCH Intimacy, Sexuality, and Early-Stage Dementia The Changing Marital Relationship BY PHYLLIS BRAUDY HARRIS, PHD, LISW, ACSW When one’s marital partner receives a diagnosis of dementia, it has major ramifications for a couple. Such a diagnosis affects every aspect of marital life, including the most intimate areas. This qualitative study (1) focuses on the perspectives of married couples, caregivers, and their spouses in the early-stage dementia as they discuss their intimate relationships, both positive and negative aspects, (2) identifies how they cope with these changes to their marital relationship, and (3) develops evidenced-based recommendations for other couples in the early stages of dementia and for their healthcare providers. Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, intimacy, marital relationships, sexuality We grow up with an understanding that your job and turn 60 at a rate of 330 persons every hour.In addition,the what you do is who you are. And if you can’t do Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are 500 000 that.… And I think sexuality is the same thing.What people in the United States younger than 65 years do we hear on television? All kinds of stuff, a good life, a good relationship, is two people sitting in matching (younger onset) who also have AD or other types of 1–3 bath tubs looking at the sun go down and being ex- dementia. Thus, AD is a significant and mounting con- cited because their Viagra is kicking in.But that is not cern for older adults, their families, and the community.
[Show full text]