Sexuality and Alzheimer's Disease Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sexuality and Alzheimer's Disease - Lab Report Example A major ethical dilemma for nursing staff, who lack relevant training, is when Alzheimer patients express themselves in a sexual manner with other patients or care-givers. Nurses find themselves in a conflict situation between moral principle and professional duty in resolving these occurrences (Tabak & Shemesh Kigli, 2006). Research discloses that there is confusion and ignorance on the part of nursing staff and other care givers, regarding the issue of sexual relations among patients with dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Staff find it highly stressful to deal with this area of ward practice for which they completely lack any kind of training. Their professionalism and caring instinct to protect the patients’ dignity seriously conflicts against their anger and antagomism towards unseemly behavior on the part of elderly Alzheimer patients, especially if it is of a serious nature or if helpless elderly patients are victimized. Sometimes, staff’s lack of necessary awareness leads to their ill-treating or humiliating patients (Tabak & Shemesh-Kigli, 2006). One of the consequences of debilitating dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease and deep-rooted personality disorders â€Å"can lead to lowered impulse control and the emergence of inappropriate sexual behaviors† (Hillman, 2000: 62-63). Ethics and human rights also play an important part in this issue, since the sexual needs and the right to personal freedom of geriatric patients cannot be overlooked. To resolve the ethical dilemma, it is essential to investigate the situation by viewing the full picture, and understanding all the dynamics that contribute to the sexual relationship.