Sexuality and Dementia

Book excerpt: The First Comprehensive Guide for Dealing with Dementia's Effect on Sex, Intimacy, and Relationships It is common for a person with dementia to exhibit inappropriate and uncharacteristic sexual behavior, including promiscuity, verbal abuse, aggression, grabbing, exhibitionism, and jealous paranoia. This behavior puts a strain on spouses and partners, as well as other loved ones and caregivers. Now, for the first time, esteemed geriatric neuropsychiatrist, Douglas Wornell, MD, provides essential information and practical solutions to cope with these troubling and often embarrassing actions by providing: information on the contributing role of medication (and overmedication), both prescribed and over-the-counter ways to handle inappropriate behaviors that respect the person with dementia, their loved ones, and their caregivers recommendations to minimize the legal risk and potential for injury in long-term care facilities personal stories of the many ways couples have chosen to deal with the changes to their sexual dynamic and relationship