Affection and Sexuality in the Presence of Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Affection and sexuality were studied longitudinally for two groups of couples, one with an Alzheimer's disease (AD) afflicted spouse and the other spouse the primary caregiver, and a second group with both spouses relatively healthy. Affectional expressions were not different for the two groups prior to illness onset but declined significantly for the AD group five years into the illness trajectory; affection remained stable for the well group. Based on follow-up data obtained two years later, outcomes for afflicted spouses were taken into consideration, and the pattern for affection was be reexamined. Affection increased significantly after nursing home placement of an ill spouse.

Fewer AD than well couples were sexually active five years into the illness trajectory. The problem of hypersexuality in a few male afflicted spouses had abated two years later. The number of well couples who were sexually active also declined over time, but several couples continued at the same or higher levels of sexual intimacy. The study contrasts normal aging from pathological deviations within a human developmental perspective.