Intimacy & Meaningful Relationships Among Older Adults

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AN ONLINE WORKSHOP FOR HEALTHCARE & OTHER PROFESSIONALS

When: Monday, February 10 – Sunday, March 9, 2025, (4 weeks) ONLINE weekly at your discretion
Cost: $240 (Students $120) Registration Deadline: Monday, February 3, 2025
This workshop will be offered only if there is sufficient enrolment.

Workshop Objectives

  • Increase our awareness of strategies and opportunities we can embrace
  • Explore our own values and beliefs about intimacy, aging and the relationship between these sensitive topics
  • Appreciate the challenges presented by the desire for intimacy when faced with physical, mental, psychological, social and environmental barriers

WEEK 1 – Intimacy & Aging: Myths & Facts – Values & Beliefs

  • What is intimacy? The importance of a shared understanding
  • Myths and facts related to aging and intimacy
  • Recognizing & exploring the barriers and biases we face

WEEK 2 – Intimacy & Aging: What About Relationships?

  • Sexual health and well being
  • Intimacy and affection with later life losses
  • Relationships; maintaining the old or finding the new
  • What is my role?

WEEK 3 – Intimacy in the context of various challenges: Is it even possible?

  • Cognition, communication, consent – whose problem is it?
  • Issues of privacy – whose problem is it?
  • Maintaining any relationship in long term care
  • Tips for understanding and managing sexual behaviour

WEEK 4 – Embracing Intimacy & Aging!

  • Sharing of experiences, strategies and approaches

Instructor: Sylvia Davidson MSc

Sylvia is a retired occupational therapist, with more than 30 years of clinical experience, working with older adults in acute care, rehabilitation and long-term care. She has presented on the topic of intimacy and aging at national and international events and believes passionately in the importance of intimacy as a component of well-being and healthy aging.

Registration and payment available online at https://aging.utoronto.ca/642-2/

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