Springer Sexuality and Aging: Clinical Perspectives

The myth of the sexual inactivity of older people has long been exploded. This valuable work assembles the latest material on a range of sexual concerns experienced by our elders, from HIV/AIDS to body image problems, and includes telling personal testimony. Review "Sexuality and Aging: Clinical Perspectives by Jennifer Hillman is a welcome addition to the field of geropsychology and mental health, addressing a concern of aging that has been sorely neglected. Attempting to bridge this gap, the American Psychological Association and American Bar Association have collaborated to produce handbooks for psychologists, lawyers, and judges to specifically address issues such as capacity for sexual consent. However, the current book places such issues within a broader, more meaningful framework...The issue of capacity is addressed nicely, and the author highlights the need for a thorough evaluation of why an elder may or may not have the cognitive or psychological skills necessary to make independent decisions regarding his or her sexual behavior. There are links to useful external resources and good summaries of the primary information from those resources. The impact and dynamics of family perspectives and participation are well integrated, and Hillman provides concrete ideas on how to increase communication and processing within families...Kudos to Jennifer Hillman for establishing an up-to-date resource that highlights the need for professionals to increase awareness and self-education, becoming advocates for appropriate health care services across age, ethnicity, and sexual expression. Sexuality started way before research and evidence-based practice, and has been an ageless life tradition, a tradition that embraces all emotions of love, intimacy, caring, shock, wonderment, joy, fun, sharing, joining, learning, and embarrassment."Sigmund Hough and Amy S. Schultz (PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 57) "Sexuality and Aging: Clinical Perspectives focuses on a myriad of issues related to social and physiological aspects of sexuality, sexual health, and sexual expression and diversity among aging and older adults. This book extends beyond traditional perspectives of sexuality and delves into intricate details specific to the influence of aging on one’s sexuality. Although Hillman covers aspects of both women’s and men’s sexuality, readers specifically interested in women’s sexuality will find the book particularly useful. Hillman’s style and focus is best suited for clinicians working with aging and older adults; however, researchers and educators who work with older adults, and older adults themselves, may find the content particularly useful.As adults age, clinicians typically focus on sustaining health and striving for a positive quality of life. To that end, sexuality may be ignored or thought of as irrelevant within this population. Hillman describes situations in which sexuality may be overlooked among those working with older adults or may make care providers (e.g., medical, mental health, staff, children) uncomfortable, resulting in these needs getting largely ignored. To counter such stereotypes, Hillman walks through various health issues faced by aging adults, particularly focusing on managed care facilities and nursing homes, in conjunction with sexuality.The book is divided into 10 chapters, each describing specific health issues related to sexuality and aging; the chapters contain case studies that provide caretakers practical examples to draw from. For example, chapters 1 and 2 provide a general introduction describing baby boomers and sexual expression and diversity across the lifespan. Chapter 3 addresses caretakers’ attitudes toward sexuality and aging, focusing on the challenges of navigating older adults’ sexual expression and health. Chapter 4 provides perspectives of aging adults living in long-term care facilities, specifically highlighting the difficult role of caretakers as mental healt