Social Workers' Perceptions of Staff Attitudes Toward Resident Sexuality in a Random Sample of New York State Nursing Homes:

As a pilot study, social workers of 29 randomly selected nursing homes in New York State were interviewed concerning their perceptions of staff attitudes toward resident sexuality. They were also asked whether the nursing home sponsored any programs that help staff manage sexuality issues. Social workers perceived staff attitudes toward resident sexuality primarily as "mixed." A majority perceived staff attitudes as intolerant or condemning regarding homosexual/lesbian activity. Although only one nursing home had a program specifically addressing sexuality, half of the nursing homes covered sexuality within training programs. The article includes recommendations for the development of training programs addressing residents' sexuality in nursing homes. Policy implications are also discussed.