Abstract
The author investigated the sexuality of older adults in 1990. Since then, the author has been conducting research and case studies on the sexuality of middle-aged and older adults and sexual problems of
older adults in long-term care for approximately 30 years. Research conducted to date is reviewed in
chronological order and the findings are summarized in this paper. Moreover, leading publications based
on these research are introduced. Surveys conducted by the Sexuality Study Group of the Japan Society of
Sexual Science (Representative: Araki) on middle-aged and older adults’ sexuality have indicated that
couples are becoming increasingly sexless. Therefore, factors related to sexlessness were analyzed because sexual contact enriches the latter half of life, and a more positive sexual life is proposed. Moreover,
sexual problems of older adults in long-term care are focused including sexual behaviors toward the staff
and sexual behaviors based on understandings and romances among care users. It is necessary to respond
to former behaviors by understanding internal and psychological desires, rather than merely the users’
sexual behaviors as problem behaviors. In contrast, it is desirable to focus on enhancing the QOL of users
and coordinate with other users and their families in the case of romances among care users.
