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The current study assesses ageism and heterosexism relating to older adult sexual activity within long-term care facilities. To assess caregiver reactions, 153 residential care facility staff members read one of three vignettes. Each vignette described a scenario in which a staff member walks in on two residents (male/female, male/male, or female/female) engaging in sexual activity. Although no main effects were discovered for vignette type, exploratory analyses revealed that the facility where participants were employed was significantly related to their ratings of approval. Furthermore, an interaction effect between vignette and facility types was also discovered for caregivers’ approval of sexual activity among residents. Additionally, a strong overall approval rating of older adult sexuality was reported by staff members. The results of this study warrant that further research is necessary regarding older adults’ perception of caregiver bias, as well as further investigation of caregivers’ perceptions of older adults’ sexual activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies suggest an association between older adults’ sexual health and quality of life. Despite this, previous research suggests a lack of assessment of older adults’ sexual health. To understand this gap, we examined predictors of practicing psychologists’ attitudes to and assessment of the sexual health of older adults. This study utilized purposive online sampling to recruit 119 US practicing psychologists (median years licensed=11). Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographics, education and training, and were randomized to a vignette condition depicting a middle-aged or older adult with mood and sexual health concerns. Following the vignette, participants completed a survey on attitudes and their willingness to assess patients’ sexual health. Participants’ vignette condition, sociodemographics, clinical education, experience, and specialty did not predict attitudes toward older adults’ sexuality. However, results indicated that negative attitudes toward older adults’ sexuality (p=.01) and sexuality education and training (p=.001) predicted psychologists’ willingness to assess sexual health. Results indicate that in order to increase psychologists’ assessments of older adults’ sexual health, interventions should focus on changing attitudes toward older adults’ sexuality, and increasing psychologists’ sexuality education and training. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]