Sexuality in the Elderly in Chile

Population aging is a reality in Chile that affects the course of life, quality of life, and sexuality of older adults. The objective of this study is to identify the dimensions, characteristics, and underlying contents of sexuality in older adults participating in community-based organizations in Chile. A qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory, based on ten focus groups with N of 85 participants aged 60 and over. Groups of women, men, and mixed groups were organized in the northern, central, and south-central zones of the country. The data were entered and analyzed using MAXQDA 2023 software. The results identified 10 dimensions and 42 sub-dimensions related to the sexuality of older adults. A structural educational deficit in the subject was identified, characterized by a lack of training for health care personnel and care gaps at the primary health care level, among other issues. It is concluded that sexuality in older adults is an emerging issue and a human right subject to social discrimination, with limitations to its full experience which must be studied and addressed to improve sexuality as part of changes in quality of life.