[Men and women--aspects of sexological counseling in the aging].

Abstract

In our times, sexuality has become an essential part of life for aging people. For the aging, psychosocial and biological changes, as well as increasing morbidity present challenges to a satisfying sexual life. Hence, the demand grows for health-care providers with basic sexological knowledge and counseling abilities. This article discusses relationships between frequent sexual difficulties and aging related organic processes. A therapeutic concept, the "Sexocorporal Approach", is introduced. This approach is based on a model of ongoing sexual development throughout the lifetime enabling adaptation to new life phases and limiting circumstances through sexual learning processes. Aside from pharmacological treatment, the encouragement of sexual learning presents an effective therapeutic approach for practitioners that can be easily learned and applied.