Ehrenfeld M, Tabak N, Bronner G, Bergman R
Department of Nursing, School of Health Professions, Sacler Faculty of Medicien, Tel Aviv University.
Int J Nurs Pract. 1997 Dec;3(4):255-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-172x.1997.tb00110.x.
This study endeavoured to clarify the ethical dilemmas concerning sexuality encountered by nurses caring for elderly patients suffering from dementia, and to assist the decision-making process of the nurses and staff who handle dilemmas of this nature. Many of the staff in geriatric institutions report difficulties, confusion, embarrassment and helplessness as well as negative responses and rejection when encountering sexual situations between patients of the same or different sex, patients and staff members or between patients and visitors. Embarrassment over sexuality is felt by staff members, visitors and family. This embarrassment may result in elderly patients being treated like children, and being separated from their partners. A response of this nature can provoke anger in the patients, sometimes leading to violence. The central dilemma on the subject of sexuality in a geriatric institution is the fact that staff are in conflict between the desire to protect the elderly patients and maintain their dignity and the patients' desire to fulfil their sexual needs. Since no single, definitive prescription can be provided for conduct acceptable to the staff, the patients and their families, it was decided to work with the staff on the basis of case studies to help them in selecting ways of coping.
本研究旨在阐明照顾老年痴呆患者的护士在性方面所遇到的伦理困境，并协助处理此类困境的护士及工作人员进行决策。许多老年机构的工作人员报告称，当遇到同性或异性患者之间、患者与工作人员之间或患者与访客之间的性状况时，他们会感到困难、困惑、尴尬和无助，以及负面反应和排斥。工作人员、访客和家属都会对性感到尴尬。这种尴尬可能导致老年患者被当作儿童对待，并与他们的伴侣分开。这种性质的反应可能会激怒患者，有时甚至导致暴力行为。老年机构中性方面的核心困境在于，工作人员在保护老年患者并维护其尊严的愿望与患者满足性需求的愿望之间存在冲突。由于无法为工作人员、患者及其家属都能接受的行为提供单一、明确的规定，因此决定基于案例研究与工作人员合作，帮助他们选择应对方式。
