Geriatric sexual conformity: assessment and intervention

The interactional relationship between the elderly and society constitutes an important focus in health care. Negative cues of society toward the sexuality of the elderly, render the aged susceptible to changes in sexual role behaviors and gender identity. Geriatric sexual conformity is an example of a socialized non-sexual role. Role theory provides a useful framework for explaining geriatric sexual conformity as a case of role insufficiency. Role theory in conjunction with Annon's P-LI-SS-IT model for brief sexual therapy offers a basis for specific sexual counseling interventions for the elderly and significant others.