VCHA Guide to Supporting Sexual Health and Intimacy in Care Facilities

November 9, 2022 |

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority published a pocket guide detailing how to support the sexuality of folks living in care facilities.

Vancouver Coastal Health Authority published a pocket guide in 2013, detailing how to support the sexuality of folks living in care facilities. In this guide, VCHA explains that “sexual health and intimacy are essential components of overall health and healthy living. All persons are sexual beings and should be treated with respect in regard to sexual health and sexual expression, irrespective of age, race or ethnic origin, disability, cognitive capacity, marital or family status, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or socioeconomic status.”

The guide goes on to say that “moving into a care facility (facility) should not, in and of itself, equate to losing the opportunity to engage in intimate and sexual behaviors. Facili9es have ethical and legal obligations to recognize, respect, and support residents’ sexual lives. The values and beliefs of facilities and care providers may be challenged in situations where ethics and sexual health intersect. These “real life” situations range from residents wanting to share the same room, to a resident needing assistance with sexual expression, to residents with questionable consent capability engaging in sexual activity together.”

Read the guide in full here: http://www.vch.ca/Documents/Supporting-sexual-health-pocket-guide.pdf