Moving is a huge life event. People are leaving a place that they consider to be “home.” A home where they felt comfortable and safe. In addition, some people have been living in the neighborhood for a long time and have made friends there. This means that people are not only leaving a house but also leaving the life they have lived there. Not just with neighbors, friends, family, and sometimes a partner. As for people who have a partner, that partner usually stays in the house.
Moving to senior care adds to the significant change of moving. A few things happen you move to a senior living facility. Usually, people move to a smaller place than they were used to. This means people are forced to pick what belongings they bring with them. So, they must go through a lifetime of stuff they collected and have specific memories.
In addition to losing a home, most older adults that move into a care facility to receive 24/7 care have medical issues. Issues with their physical, psychological, and cognitive health can force them to receive full-time care. Receiving care can mean losing privacy and agency.
This physical, psychological, and cognitive deterioration, in combination with the move in general and being away from a partner, could be considered a cumulative loss. Cumulative loss affects your whole being, including your sexuality. This does not mean people admitted into a care facility lose their sexual needs. They are still the same person with the same need but must now navigate that in a new setting with less privacy and without a possible partner. Navigating this is difficult; the process is usually far from smooth and mainly relies on the lenience of care staff. Staff with focused sexuality training usually prepares teams to support older adults in navigating changing circumstances and keeping their agency.