Introduction:

Long-Term Care workers responses to the manifestations of residents’ sexual behavior are very varied, prevailing negative attitudes and practices. Moreover, their level of knowledge in this subject is quite limited.

Objectives:

To synthesize and analyse the available evidence regarding professionals’ perceptions about the sexuality of institutionalized older people in Long-Term Care institutions.

Method:

A systematic search of articles published in English or Spanish exploring the perceptions of professionals about the sexuality of institutionalized older people was carried out until May 2017 in Medline, Scopus, Web of Science (WOS), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), CUIDEN, ProQuest, PsycINFO, and CINHAL.

Results:

Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Professionals’ perceptions were grouped in the following categories: the influence of negative stereotypes, the pressure of professionals’ reactions and interpretations, family interference, need for privacy, need for regulation of sexual expression and the management of sexuality in people with dementia, lesbian, gay or bisexual.

Conclusion:

There are a lack standard response and awareness and a knowledge gap of professionals in response to sexual situations in institutionalized older people. It is necessary to establish guidelines promoting a common approach in the institutions and a reduction of harmful practices.

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