Should nursing homes provide private space for mutually consenting sexual relations?

It is widely known that people over retiral age still have sex. Does this or should this apply to older people living in residential care or nursing homes?

"Neither carers nor care workers should make the assumption that the sexual aspect of a long-standing relationship between a person with dementia and their partner is no longer important or consensual, and care homes in particular should take steps to ensure that their residents have the privacy to continue such relationships to the extent that they wish." (Nuffield Council in Bioethics, 2009).

What do you think? Want to have your say? 

Post a comment. Take part in the Values Exchange debate

Reference

Nuffield Council on Bioethics (2009) Dementia: Ethical Issues. Ch 6 Dilemmas in care. London: Nuffield Council on Bioethics.