A comprehensive overview of sexual intercourse, intimacy, sexual issues and related nursing interventions in the elderly people with stroke: A forgotten necessity

Despite the importance of sexual health in the elderly people with stroke, the concept of sexual health and sexual issues in these people has been influenced by cultural misconceptions. The aim of this study was to review the definitions of sexual intercourse, intimacy and sexual issues and to explain the related nursing interventions in the elderly people with stroke.

To do so, the articles published in this field during 1930-2021 were collected through searching in databases using the keywords including sexual rights, intimacy, sexual health, sexual functioning, sexual behavior, sexual issues, effective factors, older people and stroke and according to the purpose of the study, the related articles were selected from them as well as their findings were summarized.

Health-oriented sexual intercourse in the elderly people with stroke takes a positive and respectful approach to sexual issues. Intimacy in the elderly is mainly associated with physical, mental and emotional well-being. Sexual intercourse in the elderly is more influenced by psychological and social factors. Despite all these points, addressing sexual issues in the elderly not only in Iran but also in many countries due to cultural and structural barriers in society, inadequate beliefs and training of nursing staff is often unknown in nursing evaluation. The permission, limited information, specific suggestions and intensive therapy (PLISSIT) model is known as a sexual therapy model in this regard.

In order to improve the health and quality of sexual intercourse, sexual rights and quality of life of the elderly people with stroke, it is necessary for elderly nurses and sexual health professionals to pay attention to behavioral changes and sexual issues in their clinical evaluations. Using the PLISSIT model in the study of sexual issues in the elderly, creating a culture and providing counseling and education to the elderly in this regard can help identify potential problems, reduce misconceptions and empower the elderly people with stroke in this regard.