Complete a 3-part online program to grow your capacity for supporting the sexual health of people living with dementia! Learn how people with dementia may express their unmet sexual health needs and how you can support long term care residents through holistic care planning.
Click here to access the program on ALZeducate.
You will need to create a free account. Once logged in, select Health Care Provider Training from the Education tab. Select Courses, then Dementia & Sexuality: an Introduction. Click Enrol Me at bottom of page to begin!
Click here to access the program on Surge Learning.
Once logged in, find the Behavioural Supports Ontario category in the library.
Module 1:
Dementia & Sexuality: An Introduction
Module 1 explores how dementia can affect the way people communicate their unmet needs, including those related to sexuality. It debunks myths and challenges stereotypes about sexuality and dementia, examining how these perceptions shape interactions. Learners also gain practical tips to help support people living with dementia. By the end of this module, learners will be able…
- To recognize the significance of sexuality and intimacy to the lives of people with dementia,
- To distinguish myths and stereotypes from realities of sexuality and dementia, and
- To apply fundamental communication approaches.
**This module is the first of the series, with each building on the knowledge gained in the previous module. Learners who have already completed Module 1 on the Geriatric Essentials learning management system (LMS) will need to start fresh with Module 1 on the new platform. This will allow learners to revive their understanding and ensure they have the foundation needed to fully engage with the next modules.
Module 2:
Communicating with Long-Term Care Residents about Sexual Health
In this module, learners will focus on effective communication with long-term care (LTC) home residents about their sexual needs. By the end of this module, they’ll be able…
- To develop the confidence to discuss sexual history and the sexual health needs of individuals living with dementia in LTC,
- To recognize the role that LTC team members play in supporting residents' sexual health, and
- To apply best practice principles to support residents' sexual health.
Module 3:
Understanding and Responding to Long-Term Care Residents’ Sexual Expressions of Risk
In this module, learners focus on understanding and responding to the responsive sexual behaviours of residents living in Long Term Care (LTC) homes. By the end, they’ll be able to…
- Describe the responsive sexual behaviours of people living with dementia in LTC homes using respectful, non-judgmental language to assess potential risks,
- Identify helpful tools and resources for observing and assessing these behaviours;
- Distinguish between behaviours that can be easily addressed from those needing more support based on a risk level framework; and
- Use best practices to respond to these behaviours effectively.
Translation Needs
The BSO Sexual Expression and Dementia working group is exploring translation demands for resources that are currently only available in English. If you would have preferred to access these e-modules in French, please let the team know by emailing provincialbso@nbrhc.on.ca. Your feedback will support a better understanding of translation needs and prioritize future efforts.
Le groupe de travail du projet expression sexuelle et la démence est en train de déterminer les demandes de traduction pour nos ressources qui ne sont actuellement disponibles qu'en anglais. Si vous auriez préféré suivre ces modules en français, veuillez nous le faire savoir en nous envoyant un courriel à provincialbso@nbrhc.on.ca. Vos commentaires nous aideront à prendre des décisions concernant la traduction.
Project Leadership and Acknowledgements
Supporting the Sexual Health of People with Dementia in Long Term Care (LTC) is created by the BSO Sexual Expression and Dementia Working Group. The purpose of this working group is to oversee the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of an e-learning program about sexual expression and dementia.
Project Co-Leads:
Katelynn Aelick, MSc, Project Coordinator – Behavioural Supports Ontario Provincial Coordinating Office, North Bay Regional Health Centre
katelynn.aelick@nbrhc.on.ca | 705-675-9193 x 8908
Dr. Rosemarie Mangiardi, PhD, Advisor, Digital Excellence in Health, Ontario Health
Kristy McKibbon, MA, GDBA, Coordinator, Behavioural Supports Ontario Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant - West Region, Hamilton Health Sciences
Dr. Birgit Pianosi, PhD, CPG, Assistant Professor - Gerontology, Laurentian University
Dr. Lori Schindel Martin, RN, PhD, GNC(C), FCAN, Professor Emeritus, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Toronto Metropolitan University
The Supporting the Sexual Health of People with Dementia online program was funded by Regional Geriatric Program-Central (RGPc) (module 1) and Alzheimer Society Research Program (module 2 and module 3). We are grateful to our funders, whose support plays a vital role in the success of our efforts.
Reference List
View a list of resources which guided the development of the modules.