Description
Contrary to popular belief, older adults are still able to engage in sexual activity if they desire. Although uncomfortable to many, this is a very important topic that needs to be addressed by health care professionals with their clients. Often, health care professionals forget that older adults are, in fact, adults and have the right to engage in sexual activity. However, there are many things to consider, such as cognition, and ethical discussions that need to be had. This interactive program will offer insight into what older adults are looking for in later years and how to go about approaching and assessing sex and intimacy with older adults.
District of Columbia:
This workshop meets the continuing education requirement for DC Public Health Priorities in the following topic: 4. Sexual health (including taking sexual history, discussing sexual experiences with patients, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), HPV vaccines, connections to cancer, latent tuberculosis, safe sex, and birth control).
Instructor
Joanna Frankel, MSW, LCSW-C is a graduate of Towson University with a bachelor's in both psychology and gerontology. Joanna obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work with a clinical concentration and a focus in aging. Since then, Joanna has been working in long-term care settings for over twenty years as a director and a consultant. Additionally, Joanna is passionate about supervising social work licensee candidates. Joanna is the owner of Frankel Care Consulting, where she guides and educates professionals, individuals, and families through senior life transitions.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
8:50 - 9:00 Registration/Log On
9:00 – 10:30 Lecture
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 12:15 Lecture (Continued)
12:15 Questions & Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Evaluate what sex and intimacy mean for an older adult.
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Explain the importance of having these discussions with older adults while encouraging other health care professionals to ask the right questions.
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State examples of what can interfere with sex or intimacy in later years.
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Identify when a client has the capacity and the right to choose to engage in sexual activity.
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Participate in ethical discussion around sex and seniors.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Understanding Asexuality , Bogaert, 2012.
What Every Mental Health Professional Needs To Know About Sex, Buehler, 2014
“Sexual Activity Patterns Before Myocardial Infarction and Risk of Subsequent Cardiovascular Adverse Events” Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Rothenbacher, et.al., 2015.
Older Women's Sexual Desire Problems: Biopsychosocial Factors Impacting Them and Barriers to Their Clinical Assessment Maciel & Lagana, Biomed Research International, 2014.
“Sexuality in older age: essential considerations for healthcare professionals” Taylor & Gosney, Age and Ageing, 2011.
LGBTQ Older Adults in Long Term Care Settings An Integrative Review to Inform Best Practices.pdf
Housing Discrimination and Persons Identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
SAGE – Advocacy & Services for LGBTQ+ Elders (sageusa.org)
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: On July 2, 2025, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop.
For more information, please read the general policies on our website.
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
Evaluation
Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.
After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.
