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Talk about Birds, Bees and Disease with your Grandparents!

Our parents and grandparents didn’t grow up learning about condoms in their high school and college health classes.  After becoming single after loss of a spouse or divorce, many are hitting the dating pool for the first time in years.  Contrary to popular belief, seniors have more interest in sex than we give them credit for.

Thanks to erectile dysfunction medications and the popularity of retirement communities, more seniors are having sex than ever before.  1 in 4 seniors are sexually active at least once a week.  We assume as one grows older they become asexual.  This is clearly a myth.  Seniors are enjoying sex– often with multiple partners, however, they are not receiving the support and education they need.

Older Americans often mistakenly assume since they are no longer fertile, condom use isn’t necessary.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  STI’s among senior citizens has increased 71% over the last decade in the retirement mecca, Florida.  This isn’t just hitting the 65+ set.  Between 1996 and 2008 STI rates have increased nearly 50% for men over 40.

Sit down and have “the talk” with your parents and grandparents. Tell them about this wonderful sex website for seniors.  SaferSex4Seniors covers safer sex, LGBTQ issues and has special sections that address how to talk to your partner and your doctors. It also covers general sexual health, wellness and pleasure.  Joan Price’s Naked at Our Age/Better than I Ever Expected blog is also a wonderful resource for senior sex.

I know it’s difficult to think about and talk about but your parents, grandparents and even great grandparents are sexual beings.  Next time you’re out to lunch with mom or grandpa, jot the Safer Sex for Seniors and Naked at Our Age website names down on a napkin and discretely tuck it into their pocket.  You’ll both be glad you did.