Among seniors age 75-85, men are more likely to be sexually active than women. Researchers also suggest that a quality sex life can improve overall health and well-being.
Researchers at the University of Chicago examined data based on interviews with 3,000 American men and women. The interview subjects were divided into two groups – one aged 25-74 and the other aged 57-85, according to MSNBC.com:
- Particularly among individuals between the ages of 75 and 85, men report being more sexually active than women – 39 percent of men versus 17 percent of women.
- Researchers found that the average person’s sex life winds down by the age of 70. By age 55, men can hope for another 15 years while women generally have another 11 years of sexual activity.
- Overall, people in very good or excellent health were 1.5 to 1.8 times more likely to report an interest in sex than those in poorer health.
- Across all age groups, men were more interested in sex than women, and the gap increased with age.
Sexual health is part of seniors’ overall well-being and should be considered part of resident-focused care, say senior living providers. Read more in the Assisted Living Executive article, “Sex in Senior Living.”
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