Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the Elderly: What You Need to Know BY SUSAN LETVAK and DIANNE SCHODER Letvak, S., & Schoder, D. (1996). Sexually transmitted diseases in the elderly: What you need to know: The young aren't the only ones at risk for STDs. Geriatric Nursing, 17(4), 156160. doi:10.1016/S0197-4572(96)80063-2 Made available courtesy of Elsevier: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/623088/description#description ***Note: Figures may be missing from this format of the document
Sam, a 65 year old, had recently been admitted to a nursing home. When several lesions appeared on his penis and inner thighs several months after admission, the nursing staff diagnosed the condition as an irritative rash caused by incontinence and the use of incontinence pads. The nurses treated the lesions with a protective skin barrier, but there was no improvement. Only after reviewing medical records and consulting with the physician did they realize the truth: Sam had contracted genital herpes almost 20 years earlier and still suffered outbreaks. In this case proper treatment, infection control, and staff education were delayed because the nursing staff failed to quickly recognize a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Most nurses would not be surprised to find themselves caring for a 24-year-old man with genital herpes, syphilis, or AIDS. How many, however, are prepared to recognize and provide counseling and care to an 80 year old with an STD? Would you even consider the possibility of an STD in an elderly patient? Many nurses might be surprised by the existence of STDs in elderly persons, but the incidence of STDs in this population is significant in terms of newly acquired diseases and residual complications from prior infections.1 Ageist attitudes cause many people—health care personnel not excepted—to assume that elderly persons are not sexually active or at risk for an STD. Sexual histories on older adults are often incomplete or completely lacking.² Failure to address the possibility of an STD in any patient could lead to lack of treatment and further transmission of the disease. Additionally, counseling on the prevention of STDs is imperative for all sexually active adults, of whatever age. Sexuality and the Elderly Human beings are sexual beings throughout their lives. In good health, a person may continue to be sexually active into the seventh, eighth, and even ninth decade.2 Some degree of sexual appetite is usually present throughout life.3 Although studies on sexuality in older adults are limited, one national sample reported that the average frequency of sexual activity in older adults is two to four times a month.4 Bretschneider and McCoys studied a group of healthy men over 80 years of age. Of this group, 29% were
having intercourse at least weekly, while 38% were not having sex at all. Enjoyment of sexual intercourse was characterized as moderate or great by a full 63% of the respondents.5 Older adults are also not necessarily monogamous. The national probability sample mentioned above found that between 2.5% and 3% of older Americans had two or more sexual partners in the previous year.4 Society has been slow to recognize the sexual needs and realities of its elderly population, and most adults-
again, including health professionals—have been socialized to not talk about sex. Identifying and intervening in sex-related problems, including diseases, is important for the nurse who cares for patients in this population. Sexually Transmitted Diseases STDs are infectious diseases acquired through sexual activity with an infected person. Some STDs, such as hepatitis B and HIV viruses, may also be transmitted by means of blood. Most people, although familiar with syphilis and gonorrhea, do not know that more than 30 etiologic agents that cause STDs may be transmitted by sexual and nonsexual means.1 When one deals with a sexually inactive elderly patient, one should remember that an STD
Parental Attachment Styles Parental Attachment Styles and how they may correlate with Some Mental Disorders Counseling 502 Various Parental Attachment Styles & Correlations with Mental Disorders What does it mean exactly to be a parent? Society spends a great deal of time in controversy about physically mentally and emotionally abusive parenting, childhood abandonment and neglect, but what about a more silent issue? This issue is not an issue we hear about often, because it has to do…
of your life including every relationship you build in the future. Each parent falls under a specific style of parenting authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, or uninvolved. Each parenting style has a different effect on every aspect of a child's life from report card grades to a child's personality. The first interview I conducted was with a parent with an authoritative parenting style. Both parents come from a military background and placed high regard on organization, discipline, and respect…
locating her present one which has addressed all my concerns. c) Are you making any choices for your baby as a response to the child's innate predispositions? In other words, are you altering the child's environmental influences (separate from your parenting) to match his/her biological predisposition? If so, how? If not, why not? Page 2 (Response) The first step in responding to Leigh Ann's innate predispositions was to remove her from her living environment when weather permits. What…
emotional and physical attachment occurring between a parent or parent figure, especially a mother, and children, that usually begins at birth and is the basis for further emotional affiliation. Put baby on your chest to listen to your heartbeat. Flesh to flesh; let baby feel you and smell you. Look at them take care of them. Bonding starts when babies born and never ends. You will always have that connection. Breastfeeding is a good example of bonding. 14) Secure attachment- is an emotional bond…
emotional development and how nature and nurture contribute to the development of attachment. (Chapter 14) Both adults and infants have behaviors that promote the formation of attachments – Babies will • Follow (proximity-seeking behavior) • Suck and cling • Smile and vocalize • Express negative emotions such as fretting and crying – Adults respond to infants’ signals • The hormone oxytocin promotes attachment • Attachment is the product of nature and nurture interacting over time • Bonding is…
Bowlby’s Theory of Attachment Kedra Staten Excelsior College Development through the Lifespan This research will describe John Bowlby’s ethological theory of attachment, tracing the development of attachment during the first two years and then highlighting the genetic and environmental influences of attachment. Ethological theory of attachment is a theory that recognizes the infants emotional tie to the caregivers as an evolved response that promotes survival and is the most widely accepted view…
It was graded at 60% (A 2.1) and the bibliography is missing! Drawing on Freudian and Attachment Theories assess the Relationship between early year's experiences and criminality. Psychological theories have attempted to explain the reasons for and how criminality occurs. The psychoanalytic perspective involves two major theories - Freud's theory of the Sexual Stages of Development and the Theory of Attachment purposed by Bowlby (1947). These theories conclude that there is an association between…
responsible half of this birth means to make sure the female has her medical requirements (that including) medications, help with parenting classes, doctor’s appointments, and weekly checkup’s. All this important to be educated on what it takes in the beginning stages of a pregnancy. It helps the father be prepared and informed. Pursuing this further, the attachment to the father and his son/daughter is just as important as the mother’s. To begin with, the bondman towards the father and child is…
Bowlby’s theory of attachment It is impossible to study attachment and child development without considering Bowlby’s work. His theories on attachment and on maternal deprivation have been some of the most influential writings on the topic. Given the nature of his theory I thought it would be worth including an abridged biography of Bowlby’s early life which sheds light on his motivation to produce the sort of theories he did. Bowby’s theory Bowlby worked for many years as a child psychoanalyst…
Parenting and Education during Early Childhood Tiffany Simmons PSY/280 Parenting and Education during Early Childhood Parenting styles are persistent behaviors that a caregiver gives to one or more children. Caregivers are normally the parent(s) but can be a baby sitter, such as a relative or a nanny. All children are different and naturally, the caregiver will treat each child accordingly. In this paper, team A will examine various forms of caregiving, parenting styles and early childhood education…