Intimacy and Sexual Expression

Intimacy and sexual expression remain important throughout life, including the end of life. By recognising and honouring each person’s relationships and needs with dignity, you help create an inclusive care culture where people feel valued, understood, and supported.

What I can do

Encourage open and comfortable conversations about intimacy and relationships by:

Using the Intimacy and Sexual Expression Preference (ISEP) Tool to explore older people’s preferences
Approaching discussions with sensitivity, ensuring privacy and dignity
Involving a social worker or counsellor for additional support, if needed.

Respect residents' privacy and choices to support dignity and autonomy by:

Knocking, waiting, and asking permission before entering their room
Recognising that intimacy and sexual expression are important for wellbeing and identity at all stages of life
Asking: ‘Has your condition or lifestyle changed your relationships or ability to be physically close with your partner or others’?

Be mindful of past trauma by:

Approaching conversations gently and with sensitivity
Letting people share at their own pace and respecting boundaries
Offering reassurance and emotional support and referring to a social worker or counsellor if needed.

What I can learn

Improve your ability to support intimacy needs by:

Using the Mosaic app (iPhone) for practical tips on inclusive care for LGBTI+ older people
Reading the Supporting sexuality and intimacy for LGBTI people with dementia (794kb pdf) factsheet from Dementia Support Australia
Watching The Elephant in the Room: Sexual Expression of People with Dementia by Dr Cindy Jones to gain deeper insights.

You can also enrol in one of these online learning modules (all free but registration required):

Caring for LGBTI people with dementia by Dementia Training Australia
Sexuality and Intimacy module from La Trobe University
Creating a safe environment for LGBTI people from Altura Learning.

What I can give

If an older person, their family or carer wishes to learn more about intimacy and sexual expression, these resources may help:

Sexuality and people in residential aged care facilities: A guide for partners and families (2.24MB pdf) from La Trobe University
Mosaic app (iPhone) developed by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Uniting
Dementia and challenging sexual behaviour from the Alzheimer’s Society.

What I can suggest to my organisation

Strengthen policies and training to support inclusive care by suggesting the team:

Use the Sexuality Assessment Tool (SexAT) (2.37MB pdf) by La Trobe University to evaluate how well the residential facility supports residents’ sexual expression
Have clear policies and guidelines to help staff assess and respond to intimacy and sexual expression needs
Provide staff training opportunities for building confidence in supporting older people’s intimacy and sexual expression.

Foster an inclusive and supportive environment by:

Implementing Rainbow Tick standards to create an LGBTIQ+ inclusive environment
Using the Sexualities and dementia education resource in staff education sessions
Ensuring private and co-habitable spaces are available in residential aged care to respect residents' rights to intimacy.

Page updated 21 February 2025