As a person’s dementia progresses, they may display changes in sexual behaviour. Our specialist dementia nurses share advice to help you understand and manage these changes.
There are three main categories of change in sexual behaviour that may occur in someone with dementia:
Some forms of dementia can cause a loss of inhibitions, especially frontotemporal dementia. This may lead to sexually inappropriate behaviour.
The person may not understand that their behaviour has changed, and that other people find it inappropriate.
Sometimes disinhibited behaviour results from the person misinterpreting other people’s actions – for example, if a carer is performing personal care, they may interpret it as sexual contact.
Changes in sexual behaviour may be an expression of the person’s need for closeness and affection that they are struggling to communicate.
Dementia may also cause the person to mistake other people’s identities and behave in a sexually inappropriate manner. They may believe that another person is their partner, or forget that they have a partner and initiate intimate contact with someone else.
Sometimes, the person’s behaviour may be misinterpreted by others – for example, trying to undress or touching their genitals could indicate needing the toilet, feeling too hot or cold or being in discomfort, rather than a sexual act.
Problems may also arise because of:
If a person with dementia is showing changes in sexual behaviour, family and friends may find it difficult to tell anyone what is happening.
Their partner or other family members or friends may feel at risk, for example if there is sexual force or violence.
If the person is liable to displaying uninhibited sexual behaviour or using inappropriate language in public, other people may avoid going out with them, leading to social isolation.
If the person does display sexually inappropriate behaviour in public there is a risk of the police being called. This could lead to them being detained in custody or under the Mental Health Act (sectioned).
There may also be breakdowns in care arrangements – for example if the person behaves in a sexual manner towards their carers, they may feel unable to continue to support them.
Changes in sexual behaviour are the result of the person’s dementia and are rarely intentional, so it is important to try to stay calm and understand what is happening from their perspective.
The following tips may be helpful:
You can also contact the free Dementia Helpline for support from a specialist dementia Admiral Nurse.
On rare occasions, a person with dementia may become sexually aggressive or abusive. If this happens, remove yourself from the situation until they are calmer. In an emergency, phone 999 for the police.
If you have been injured, make an urgent appointment with your GP, call 111 for advice, or go to A&E, depending on the severity of your injuries.
The health professional can also record what has happened and advise you on what to do next. This may depend on whether the person with dementia is deemed to have had ‘mental capacity’ when they carried out the act, and what action you would like to take. For instance, you may not wish to inform the police, but a Mental Health Act assessment may be appropriate.
Emotional support is also very important, whether that is from a family member, friend and/or professional. Many charities provide support around domestic and sexual violence for both men and women. You could also ask your GP about what support is available.
To speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse about changes in sexual behaviour or any other aspect of dementia, please call our free Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm, every day except 25th December), email helpline@dementiauk.org or you can pre-book a phone or video call with an Admiral Nurse.
Our virtual clinics give you the chance to discuss any questions or concerns with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse by phone or video call, at a time that suits you.
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