A holistic sexuality education curriculum for older adults. Comprehensive and progressive, this program addresses sexuality with sensitivity and respect for older adults’ wisdom and life experience.

Product Code: 1068
ISBN: 9781558968356
Format: Paperback / softback
Publisher: UUA
Published Date: 12/15/2019
Availability:In stock
N/A
Price: $60.00

A holistic sexuality education program for older adults that models and fosters caring, compassion, respect, and justice. It balances knowledge-building with exploration of attitudes, values, and feelings about one’s own and others’ sexuality. This program is comprehensive and progressive, addressing sexuality with candor, sensitivity, and respect for older adults’ wisdom and life experience.

In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, the Our Whole Lives curriculum series addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded from sexuality education. Although the curriculum was developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, this volume is completely secular and free of specific religious doctrine or reference. However, the underlying values of the program reflect the justice-oriented traditions of both denominations.

Our Whole Lives, Older Adults addresses Sexuality and Values; Attitudes about Aging; Examining Sexual Scripts; The Sexual Body; Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity; Intimacy; Sexual Consent and Boundaries; Family Matters; Sexuality and Loss; Reframing Sexuality, Disability, and Chronic Illness; Body Image; Dating as an Older Adult; Safer Sex; and Sex Play Beyond Basics.

Workshops include alternate activities and multi-media resources to accommodate participants’ specific needs and interests. The curriculum encourages multigenerational communication with family members or others who play a significant role in the participants’ lives.

This curriculum is comprised of fourteen two-hour workshops, four of which can stand alone.

Click here for the schedule of OWL facilitator trainings.


Bookmark and Share

List of Facilitator Resources
List of Handouts
List of Workshop Activities
List of Videos

Introduction

UNIT ONE: Exploring Ideas about Sexuality
Workshop One: Sexuality and Values
Workshop Two: Attitudes about Aging
Workshop Three: Examining Sexual Scripts

UNIT TWO: You, As a Sexual Being
Workshop Four: The Sexual Body
Workshop Five: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

UNIT THREE: Relationships
Workshop Six: Intimacy
Workshop Seven: Sexual Consent and Boundaries
Workshop Eight: Family Matters
Workshop Nine: Sexuality and Loss
Workshop Ten: Reframing Sexuality, Disability, and Chronic Illness

UNIT FOUR: Changes and Challenges
Workshop Eleven: Body Image
Workshop Twelve: Dating as an Older Adult
Workshop Thirteen: Safer Sex
Workshop Fourteen: Sex Play beyond Basics

Sources of Information and Assistance
Selected Bibliography

“Welcome to Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education for Older Adults, a curriculum that takes a values-based, social justice approach to the sexuality of adults in midlife and beyond. This curriculum is designed to meet the needs of the growing population of longer-lived adults for whom few sexuality resources have been created.

Research shows that most older adults with partners have sex at least two or three times monthly, at least into their early 70s—a rate similar to that of people ages 18 to 59. In addition, most adults ages 57 to 85 consider sexuality an important part of life even if they do not have a partner. Their lack of access to sexuality education can have personal and public health ramifications: Repeated studies note that healthcare providers are reluctant to speak to patients about sexual issues, particularly when a large age difference exists between doctor and patient. Compounding the problem, some older adults fear the disapproval of their friends and family, which may make them less likely to try to fulfill their sexual needs.

Too often, communication about older adult sexuality focuses on sexual dysfunction rather than on the benefits of healthy sexuality. While being aware of sexual warning signs may make people more likely to visit healthcare providers when necessary, biological factors such as general health and physical ability alone are not sufficient for full, healthy sexual lives; older adults also need education to foster knowledge and attitudes that support sexual activity by combating the negative stereotypes of older adult sexual expression, and to help them navigate the changes that are occurring in their lives.”

Be the first to submit a review on this product!
Review and Rate this Item

You might also be interested in: