Sexuality in Residential Care

New Zealand Dementia Foundation > Resource Hub > Sexuality in Care
Intimacy and Sexuality in Residential Aged Care.

Health Quality and Safety Commission, 2025 New Zealand

The Health Quality and Safety Commission provides an Aotearoa New Zealand context for their brief general Frailty Care Guide about sexuality and intimacy. They also provide a brief care guide for Health Care Assistants.

Dementia, Intimacy and Sexuality in Residential Aged Care.

Catherine Cook and Mark Henrickson, Massey University, 2017 New Zealand

The authors discuss and provide a case study of how avoidable distress and crises occur when intimacy and dementia aren’t discussed openly, and when staff don’t know how to facilitate support for families and residents in the process of assessing the balance of wellbeing and risk.

Supporting the Sexual health of People with Dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario, 2025 (Canada)

This free three-unit online programme is available through Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario’s Alzeducate platform, covering an introduction to sexuality and intimacy, communication, and respectful approaches to responsive sexual behaviours and risk. A certificate is available.

Dementia Relationships.

Queen’s University Belfast, 2024 (UK)

This E-learning resource offers three free units about how to support people living with dementia to maintain their sexuality and the intimate relationships that are important to them. A certificate of completion is available.

Supporting Sexuality and Intimacy for LGBTI People With Dementia.

Dementia Support Australia, 2022

A 4-minute video to raise awareness about recognising and managing delirium in people living with dementia.

Quality Dementia Care: Understanding Dementia Care and Sexuality in Residential Facilities.

Alzheimer’s Australia, 2010 

This resource explores the ways in which those who provide care for people living with dementia can enable sexual expression for that person in meaningful ways without discrimination and loss of dignity or self-esteem. The matter of human rights is discussed and the complex issues of duty of care. Each section has issues for consideration and discussion.

Guest Lecture: Sexualities and Dementia.

Cindy Jones, for Dementia Training Centres, 2019 (Au)

Dr Cindy Jones helps us understand sexualities and dementia by discussing the benefits and barriers to expression of sexualities, the roles and responsibilities of health care professionals, and the ethical considerations.

The Last Taboo: A Guide to Dementia, Sexuality, Intimacy and Sexual Behaviour in Care Homes.

Sally-Marie Bamford, for International Longevity Centre, 2014 (UK)

This education resource covers the importance of the expression of sexuality for people living with dementia and the role of health care professionals in responding to the expression of sexuality by people living with dementia.