La sexualité des aînés : quelle gestion parles professionnels ?
CREGÉS Conference
- Isabelle Wallach, PhD, Associate Professor, Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal; Researcher, CREGÉS
- Julie Beauchamp, PhD, Assistant Professor, Département de psychiatrie et de neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval; Researcher, CREGÉS
The sexuality of older adults is frequently the subject of prejudice and reductive social representations that are important to deconstruct. The conference will address the myths related to the sexuality of older adults, identify the main conclusions emerging from empirical studies on this issue and examine the way it is managed by professionals in health and social services and institutional contexts.
Publications by the speakers and the CREGÉS:
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Couture, M., Aubin, G., Beauchamp, J., Beaulieu, M., Bédard, M.-È., Brotman, S., Drolet, M.-J., Hanley, J., Hebblethwaite, S., Lafontaine, C., Lecompte, M., Lord, M.-M., Montpetit, C., Sawchuk, K., Smele, S., Soulières, M. et Wallach, I. (2021). Mémoire présenté dans le cadre de la consultation sur le Plan d’action gouvernemental pour contrer la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées 2022-2027. CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. To know more on sexual mistreatment, refer to theme 5: other preoccupations (p.14) (In French)
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Wallach, I. (2020). Older adults are not affected by HIV/AIDS: The origins and consequences of a misconception. In V. Billette, P. Marier & & A-M. Séguin (Eds.). Getting Wise about Getting Old: Bebunking Myths about Aging, (pp. 117-123). UBC Press.
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Beauchamp, J., Brotman, S., Chamberland, L., & Ferrer, I. (2020). LGBT Older Adults: Who Is There to Support Them and Care for Them as They Age? In V. Billette, P. Marier A-M. Séguin (Eds.). Getting Wise about Getting Old: Bebunking Myths about Aging (pp. 241-247). UBC Press.
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Wallach, I., Beauchamp, J., Maiorano, S., Lavigne, J., & Chamberland, L. (2019). Normes de beauté, perceptions de l’apparence et vie intime des femmes âgées hétérosexuelles et lesbiennes au Québec : une étude qualitative exploratoire. Université du Québec à Montréal. (In French)
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Chamberland, L., Beauchamp, J., Dumas, J., & Kamgain, O. (2016) Aîné.e.s LGBT : favoriser le dialogue sur la préparation de leur avenir et de leur fin de vie, et la prise en charge communautaire. Chaire de recherche sur l’homophobie, Université du Québec à Montréal. (In French)
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Lamy, G., Billette, V., Brotman, S., Gilbert, N., Séguin, M., & Wallach, I. (Eds.). (2013) Everything you always wanted to know about…. seniors’ sexuality. Pluralages Magazine, 4(1).
Intervention courses and tools:
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IN EXCLUSIVITY – Launch on May 17, 2021: Tip Sheet for an inclusive approach towards LGBTQ+ older adults. Created by the CREGÉS, this tip sheet explains the general terms used for sexual and gender diversity, and the basic attitudes, skills and practices supporting inclusive approaches.
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Training to Support the Inclusion of LGBT Older Adults (In French) : This course is offered exclusively to the RSSS professionals on the ENA plateform. Developed as part of the Plan d’action gouvernemental pour contrer la maltraitance envers les personnes aînées 2017-2022 by the CREGÉS in partnership with the FCP of the CIUSSS-Estrie-CHUS, the 6 modules aim to develop an in-depth understanding of the diversity of LGBT older adult life courses to be able to recognize past and present experiences of discrimination and their impact on access to care and services. Through case studies, the participants will reflect on their professional practice and develop communication and intervention skills to support inclusive approaches in the RSSS. ***Additional modules are currently being developed, regarding the needs of LGBT older adults living with a form of dementia, receiving palliative care, or who are at the end of life. If you are interested in participating in the consultation for the development of these modules, please see our recruitment poster.
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Publications and training courses by Fondation Émergence : 1) Information guide Ensuring the good treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults; 2) Pamphlet Working with trans seniors: Getting the tools you need to make health and social settings more inclusive; 3) Training program: Aging gayfully.
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Support kits and information videos by the CISSS du Bas-Saint-Laurent (In French): 1) For the housing professionals “Sexualité: Mieux comprendre pour mieux accompagner”; 2) For caregivers “Acceptation du vécu sexuel de leur proche” ***LINKS TO COME
MSSS and Comité national d’éthique sur le vieillissement (CNEV) publications:
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Politique d’hébergement et de soins et services de longue durée : Des milieu de vie qui nous ressemblent + Outil synthèse (In French). : This housing and long-term care and services policy sets out general and inclusive orientations that will apply to all types of long-term housing (residential and long-term care facilities (CHSLDs), intermediate resources, family-type resources, Older adult residences and alternative housing as well as to all clienteles likely to reside there. It puts forward an innovative approach that will be better adapted to the needs of adults in care as well as to the reality of family caregivers while supporting the integration of living environments in the community. It will also support institutions in improving their management methods and clinical practices.
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Avis formulé par le Comité national d’éthique sur le vieillissement (CNEV) intitulé Amour, sexualité et démence en milieu d’hébergement : réflexion pour guider les pratiques + Sommaire (In French). : The committee addressed two issues related to residential settings. The first was the issue of conjugality when one member of a couple must enter a housing setting, and the second was the issue of respect for privacy and diversity.
Other resources:
Upcoming event of interest:
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Round table « Amour, sexualité et démence en milieu d’hébergement : regards interdisciplinaires sur les enjeux et les défis » which will take place on June 1st, 2021 from 12 p.m. to 1 :30 p.m. on Zoom. This event is organized by Chaire de recherche Antoine-Turmel sur la protection juridique des aînés and the Institut d’éthique appliquée de l’Université Laval. Summary : The Comité National d’éthique sur le Vieillissement (CNEV) recently released it’s position paper entitled Amour, sexualité et démence en milieu d’hébergement : réflexions pour guider les pratiques. The round table will bring together CNEV members, researchers and people in the field to discuss the ethical, judicial and social issues raised by this position paper. Click here to register – Limited to 300 participants.