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/