Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Young are residents of a long-term care facility who are both physically frail but cognitively healthy

Question

Last night, the nurse at the facility discovered Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Young in bed together in Mr. Thomas' room and engaging in foreplay. How should care providers best respond to these residents' new sexual relationship?

A) Ensure that each resident's family members are aware of this development.
B) Teach Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Young about sexual health promotion.
C) Accommodate the residents' relationship and provide them with appropriate privacy.
D) Have each resident assessed to ensure that the relationship is medically safe and appropriate.

Answer 1

Ans: C
Sexual relationships between competent and consenting residents in institutional settings should be accommodated by care providers. It is likely unnecessary to directly involve family members. Education and medical assessment are likely unnecessary and may be inappropriate.