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Dementia, Vol. 4, No. 1, 49-72 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1471301205049190
© 2005 SAGE Publications

A kiss is still a kiss?

The construction of sexuality in dementia care

Richard Ward

The Open University, UK, R.Ward{at}open.ac.uk

Antony Andreas Vass

Middlesex University, UK, T.Vass{at}mdx.ac.uk

Neeru Aggarwal

Middlesex University, UK, Neeru{at}talkgas.net

Cydonie Garfield

Jewish Care, UK, CGarfield{at}jcare.org

Beau Cybyk

Jewish Care, UK, BCybyk{at}jcare.org

This article explores descriptions of the sexuality and sexual expression of people with dementia residing in care. It is argued that accounts offered by care workers are mediated by their own perspectives and interests. Data from the study, alongside a review of existing research findings, suggest that gender has a crucial influence upon the interpretation and response to sexual expression in care settings. Interviews with care staff revealed that such expression is often deemed problematic. Factors maintaining the invisibility of the homosexual population in care are also discussed. It is concluded that there exists a need for greater consultation with residents regarding sexuality and for an exploration of the range of sexualities in care.

Key Words: aging • care work • gender • homosexuality • residential care


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