AI Article Synopsis

  • This study explores how older adults in assisted living experience intimacy, highlighting its importance in their social relationships even as they face health decline.
  • Researchers analyzed a large amount of qualitative data from residents and their care partners, uncovering four key dimensions of intimacy: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical.
  • The findings emphasize the need for long-term care models that consider and accommodate the intimacy needs of older adults to enhance their overall quality of life.*

Article Abstract

Background And Objectives: Intimacy, a social relationship component, continues to be essential in later life, including for older adults in long-term care such as assisted living. Yet, no previous study has conceptualized how individuals experience intimacy holistically (i.e., broadly defined) and within the context of later life, health decline, and long-term care. The purpose of this analysis was to provide an in-depth understanding of intimacy in the lives of older adults in assisted living.

Research Design And Methods: Using grounded theory methods, we analyzed data from the "Convoys of Care" (Kemp, PI: R01AG044368) longitudinal, qualitative research project. Data consisted of 2224 h of participant observation and interviews with 28 assisted living residents (aged 58-96), and their care partners (n = 114) followed over two years from four diverse assisted living communities.

Results: Residents' experience with intimacy was a process involving four dimensions: emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical. Intimacy occurred in platonic or romantic forms and was dynamic over time alongside residents' intimacy needs. Residents engaged in an ongoing process requiring that they manage their needs while negotiating intimacy opportunities and constraints.

Discussion And Implications: Our findings expand the current conceptualization of intimacy in later life, specifically in the context of long-term care. Findings indicate the need for an approach to long-term care that addresses individuals' intimacy needs and preferences.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9163450PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2022.101005DOI Listing

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