Sex and Aging Older Adults (Research, Video 5:08)

Attitude is everything. Take sexual expression of older adults. Many people, including too many older adults themselves, assume the attitude that older people have or should have little or no sex. Having this attitude can become a reality for those who believe this is a normal part of aging.

In recent years, the older adult population has been studied more, and the results are interesting. In this research on whether sexual attitudes contribute to sexual well-being of participants over the age of 45, gender comparisons were made with these results:

1) Age-related sexual attitudes significantly contributed to sexual well-being.

2) Women held slightly more positive age-relative sexual attitudes than men.

3) Among middle-aged and young-old adults, sexual well-being may be reduced by harboring negative ageist sexual attitudes.

4) Efforts should be made to reduce stigma surrounding continued sexual activity and expression among the aged.

Honest communication is important in building better relationships. The following video effort titled “The Truth About Sex and Aging” and produced by AARP reduces the stigma surrounding continued sexual activity and expression among  aging older adults. Dr. Pepper Schwartz explains why the golden years may be much better than many people’s attitudes.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Prayer and Dementia: Can Disruptive Behavior Improve? (Research, Video 2:57)

Can disruptive dementia behavior improve through prayer when people pray on behalf of others? A research study that lasted 12 weeks focused on answering this question and reducing disruptive behavior of six late-stage dementia patients. A group of Catholic nuns offered the Lord's Prayer for assigned patients twice a day. A second group of nuns prayed for the entire subject group via the Perpetual Adoration religious devotion. Disruptions in behavior of patients with dementia were documented from three weeks pre-intervention to three weeks post-intervention.

What were the research results of this study on prayer and dementia? The average effect of prayer on behavior resulted in a reduction of disruptive incidents for the group in approximately 27 behavior categories per week. This study suggests “it is feasible to improve the life quality of patients in the terminal phase of their illness through prayer reducing their need to respond to life in a disturbed manner."

Those who are skeptical about the idea of prayer influencing disruptive dementia behavior may be interested in this video featuring Larry Dossey, MD, a former skeptic himself, who explains his own research on how prayer can be a valuable spiritual healing tool for mind, body, medicine practitioners.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.

Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog

Home Funeral (Video 4:17)

Participation in death-ritual arrangements at home was therapeutic years ago and can still provide supportive closure and comfort. After a death took place, the body of the deceased was prepared at home for viewing. Mourners came to pay their respects, console the family, and offer other forms of assistance. The family appreciated this outpouring of support from the community. After the funeral, the body was buried.

Returning to past traditions such as home funerals is another death ritual option that can be considered by families when a loved one dies. Saying final goodbyes may be more appropriate for them in a death ritual celebrated at home. Most states allow home funerals as long as legal documentation related to claiming the body and arrangements for burial or cremation are handled appropriately.

For those who feel the need for more assistance, a home funeral can be done with help from a funeral home providing a la carte services such as transporting the body to a cemetery. In addition to saving thousands of dollars, some families want to have more control over how the deceased is cared for after death. Many people view a personalized home funeral as an extension of hospice care they provided a loved one at home.

This video titled Home Funerals is an introduction to the dignified death ritual process creating an alternative for family and friends to unfasten their earthly connections with loved ones who die. Comments are especially welcome from those who have participated in home funerals.

Frances Shani Parker, Author

Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers. 
Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog