Wanted: perspectives on sexual expression in aged care

SBS Television is looking for input from people working in aged care settings for a forthcoming program about ageing and sexuality. Confidentiality is assured.

Above: The SBS Insight program, hosted by Jenny Brockie, has a town-hall forum approach 

What do you think of the idea that the sexual needs of residents should be taken into consideration and accommodated? 
If you work in aged care and have first-hand experience of the topic, we’d love to hear from you. All opinions welcome.” SBS Insight program
The producers of SBS Television’s Insight program would like to hear from people who work in the aged care sector who have experience of dealing with sexual expression among people they care for.
 
The weekly town-hall style program, hosted by Gold Walkley award winning journalist, Jenny Brockie, tackles a single topic in depth, bringing together people with first-hand experience of the issue as well as experts and those with strong opinions.  The program, filmed before a studio audience, has been hailed as Australia’s leading forum for debate and powerful first person stories.
 
One of the upcoming programs is looking at the topic of ageing and sexuality, with part of the discussion focusing on sexual expression in aged care and nursing homes. 
 
Program producer, Fanou Filali, said they would like anyone who works in aged care and has first hand experience of this topic to give them a call.
 
“All conversations are strictly confidential and are held over the phone,” said Ms Filali.  ” We’ll discuss with you the option of sharing your story openly on our program at a later stage.
 
“The recording will take place next week on Wednesday March 13 in our Sydney studio and travel expenses are covered, so please get in touch as soon as possible if you’re interested in participating,” she said.
 
Please contact Fanou Filali by email on:  fanou.filali@sbs.com.au or by phone on (02) 9430 3926; or associate producer, Kym Middleton by email on: kym.middleton@sbs.com.au or by phone on (02) 9430 3059.
 
Insight is screened weekly on SBS One on Tuesdays at 8:30pm.  It is repeated Wednesday at 1:00pm on SBS ONE; and again on Wednesday at 7:30pm on SBS TWO.
Tags: insight, jenny-brockie, sbs, sbs-television, sexuality,

3 thoughts on “Wanted: perspectives on sexual expression in aged care

  1. I am 83 and a half years old. I live alone and care for myself and my small, white, deaf dog. I do not (yet) suffer from either dementia or Alzheimer’s….
    I have just sent a separate email to you… I hope you get it. In it I have tried to express the frustration of the ever-increasing number of older people like me at the fact that we are…
    often spoken about…
    occasionally spoken to…
    but…NEVER spoken with…

    Peter Leith.

  2. I provide programs for staff at all levels in the Aged Care Sector around Relationships, Ageing, Intimacy, Sexuality and Equity (RAISE). It is a rights based program and among many of the issues that are addressed is the one referred to above. Respecting a persons’ right to indicate their opinions and feelings and in particular their privacy is a huge issue in some Aged care Facilities.
    The main issue for a provider of my type of program is that those facilities that really need to raise their standard in the area of sexual expression seem to be reluctant to do embark on a training plan let alone policy development. In the 21st century the “sex taboo” is well and truly alive.

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