Breakout Session 602 on Thursday, May 9 @ 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Ethical Considerations: Sexuality in Nursing Homes & Assisted Living Programs

Older adults' sexuality and sexual expression are often overlooked in nursing homes, assisted living programs, and residential care settings. Despite cultural beliefs that this population is asexual, sexual activity occurs frequently among residents in long-term care. About 40% of people between ages 65 and 80 are sexually active. Federal government regulations instruct nursing homes that they “must promote care for residents in a manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances each resident’s dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her individuality.” However, such mandates fall far short of providing guidance on how to respond to these situations. Nursing homes need to clarify their response to the challenging topic of intimate sexual activity by implementing (1) effective communication approaches with residents and among staff members, (2) assessments of sexual decision-making capacity, and (3) measures that will ensure resident autonomy, safety, and dignity. In this session, Cat will discuss what expectations CMS has in regard to “protecting” the resident, as well as guidance for the resident’s autonomy. She will be providing information on criteria that should be assessed for residents who have dementia, or do not exhibit the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

• Identify sexuality barriers for older adults.
• List staff training challenges and effective techniques.
• List the care domains that need to be assessed for residents with dementia, who want to be sexually active.

Cat Selman, BS, Educator, Motivator, Communicator, Consultant, Author, The Cat Selman Company, Vonore, TN
Educator. Motivator. Communicator. Consultant. Author...Catherine R. “Cat” Selman, BS, uses her dynamic personality and compelling presence to spread the message of positive, realistic, and common-sense strategies for the aging services professional. She presently serves as President and Co-owner of The Cat Selman Company, a company specializing in continuing education for health care professionals. Ms. Selman received her degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, with continued graduate work at the University of Southern Mississippi. She was a Corporate Management Consultant for 101 nursing homes in seven states. With more than 35 years’ experience in management, education and consultation, Ms. Selman has trained providers and surveyors in all 50 states. Since 1989, she has often been requested by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to sit on stakeholder/ expert panels responsible for the revision of surveyor guidance and compliance issues. In fact, Ms. Selman participated in a CMS Expert Panel Group responsible for some of the Surveyor Guidance that is now included in the current CMS RoP. She continues to train State Agencies & Surveyors in Care Planning, as well as other requirements regarding process, documentation, and compliance. In demand, and on topic, she is considered an authority in aging services. 

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