Page 62 - Dementia-Care-Specialist-Toolkit

Alzheimer’s Caregiving Tips
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DISINHIBITION (INTIMACY & SEXUALITY)

Alzheimer’s disease can cause changes in intimacy and sexuality in both a person with
the disease and the caregiver. The person with Alzheimer’s may be stressed by the
changes in his or her memory and behaviors. Fear, worry, depression, anger, and low self-
esteem (how much the person likes himself or herself) are common.
The person may become dependent and cling to you. He or she may not remember your
life together and feelings toward one another. The person may even fall in love with
someone else, or behave inappropriately toward you or others. It can be embarrassing for
family members to watch their loved ones demonstrating inappropriate sexual behaviors,
but it is important to remember that this is caused by the disease. The person is not
behaving this way on purpose.

HOW TO COPE WITH CHANGES IN INTIMACY

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease need to feel that someone loves and cares
about them. They also need to spend time with other people as well as you. Your
efforts to take care of these needs can help the person with Alzheimer’s to feel
happy and safe.

It’s important to reassure the person that:

• • You love him or her.
• You will keep him or her safe.
• Others also care about him or her.

The following tips may help you cope with your own needs:

• Talk with a doctor, social worker, or clergy member about these changes. It
may feel awkward to talk about such personal issues, but it can help.
• Talk about your concerns in a support group.
• Think more about the positive parts of the relationship.

HYPERSEXUALITY

Sometimes, people with Alzheimer’s disease are overly interested in sex. This is
called “hypersexuality.” The person may masturbate a lot and try to seduce others.
The person may remove his or her clothing in a public or inappropriate location. The
person may also demonstrate inappropriate sexual behaviors toward others. These
behaviors are symptoms of the disease and don’t always mean that the person
wants to have sex.

To cope with hypersexuality, try giving the person more attention and

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