OT 633 Guest Lecture: Aging & Sexual Health
Today we had the privilege of having Jennifer Valli, a certified sex therapist, come speak to our class about Aging & Sexual Health: Intimacy over a lifetime. Seeing as sexual activity is an activity of daily living, it is within the scope of occupational therapy's practice. This lecture was beneficial to us because it will increase our comfort level and confidence when discussing/addressing the variety of concerns our clients may come to us with regarding their sexuality.
A major take away from the lecture is that the model of sexuality differs between men and women. The Tri-phasic Sexual Model includes desire (thoughts & fantasy), arousal (blood flow), and orgasm (contraction).
Men's Tri-phasic Sexual Model will most likely this:
Whereas for women who are older or have been in a long term relationship (greater than 2 years), their sexual response is more likely to look like this:
A major take away from the lecture is that the model of sexuality differs between men and women. The Tri-phasic Sexual Model includes desire (thoughts & fantasy), arousal (blood flow), and orgasm (contraction).
Men's Tri-phasic Sexual Model will most likely this:
- Desire → Arousal → Orgasm
Whereas for women who are older or have been in a long term relationship (greater than 2 years), their sexual response is more likely to look like this:
- Neutral feeling & cognitive thought → Arousal → Desire → Orgasm
For a population- Individuals in a wheelchair and their partner may benefit from a wedge pillow during intimacy.
For an individual- A client who experiences fatigue/pain due to Rheumatoid Arthritis could benefit from energy conservation techniques and activity pacing such as planning to engage in sexual activity in the morning and switching to positions that do not stress their joints.
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