HAVE YOU ASKED GRANDMOM IF SHE’S SEXUALLY ACTIVE?
In all of my opinion pieces I am a champion of older adults enjoying sexual bliss. Keep in mind, all of my comments and observations are meant to relay how I personally view life and relationships. My aim is to ask people of all ages to look at multiple aspects of a situation rather than carry pre-conceived notions. So, here’s another segment to being a sexually active mature adult that is not generally thought to be a problem.
Women, after menopause, are no longer concerned with pregnancy. That is certainly an upside in the arena of sexual enjoyment at advanced ages. It opens us up for new experiences. Some older women are just beginning to find their sexual stride at the same time they receive senior discounts (what a dynamic pairing).
But, the downside is that sexually active, mature adults might not pay much attention to the use of condoms. They, also, for the most part, believe they are a low-risk population for HIV. It is a myth.
With new information coming out, the statistics are showing otherwise. People are living longer. AIDS cases in the over-fifty population rose more than twice as fast between 1991 and 1996 as it did among younger adults. It is clear now that older adults have to be as cautious as their younger counterparts.
In the USA, between 10 to 15 % of cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome has occurred in people 50 years old and older. In addition, diagnoses among the elderly can be delayed since many don’t investigate, believing it doesn’t happen to older adults or physicians don’t suspect the disease for the same reason. To complicate the problem, mature adults often have other ailments and a variety of medications that might interact poorly with the disease. Even remembering to take medication adds a new dimension of difficulties.
As stated in the February, 2001 issue of Health Resources and Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau, “The population is becoming older with the maturing of the baby-boomer generation. Social norms about divorce, sex and dating in America are changing, and drugs like Viagra are facilitating a more active sex life. Consequently, the risk of exposure to HIV for older Americans is increasing.”
We now know, many seniors are sexually active, and, some are drug users. Their behavior can put them a risk for HIV infection. Because seniors are not routinely tested, many seniors who are HIV infected go undetected.
So, now seniors are faced with ageism and infection from a sexually-or-IV-drug transmitted disease. Even though men who have sex with men are the largest group of AIDS cases in the over-fifty group, heterosexual women have been infected at a higher rate and, as they age into their 60’s and beyond, comprise a greater percentage.
Again, as reported in Health Resources and Services Administration, “With HIV-positive individuals living longer, a growing proportion of deaths from AIDS is occurring among older individuals. In 1994, one in four deaths from AIDS occurred among people ages 45 years and older. In 1998, 2 years after the wide-scale introduction of HAART, the proportion had risen to one in three, underscoring the need for systems of care and support that respond to the needs of an aging HIV-positive population.”
There is the distinct danger of misdiagnosis. Many HIV symptoms (such as: weight loss, shortness of breath, skin eruptions and fatigue) mimic symptoms of diseases associated with aging. It’s not uncommon for health care providers to be unaware that mature adults are an at-risk population. Younger doctors/psychologist/social workers may hesitate about discussing sexuality with older patients.
How many people ask their Grandparents or even a parent if they are having safe sex? So, it’s great to enjoy quality sex, but make it safe -- and that's the best.
From the sexy grandmom
