Perception of the elderly on sexuality: A integrative review of the literature

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the scientific publications pertinent to the perception of elderly persons about sexuality. Method: Integrative Review of Literature, held in databases: Latin American and Caribbean in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientific electronic Library Online (SciELO), Nursing Database (BDENF), Electronic journals in psychology (PePSIC). For the search of the articles, three keywords indexed in the descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS) were used: perception, sexuality (sexuality), elderly (elderly). The descriptors were crossed through strategies 1 and 2; In strategy 1, all possible crosses were accomplished through the AND icon; And in Strategy 2, the keywords were crossed through the OR icon. Results: The sample of the revision was composed of 10 studies. The variables associated with the perception of the elderly on their sexuality identified: the fear on the part of the elderly from inadequacy to the social standards, concerns with the body with the incorporation of a role considered respectable that does not give right to feelings nor desires, dependence on sons who develop caregiver function by changing the social roles. Conclusion: The study made it possible to show that sexuality is experienced according to age, going beyond the sexual act and that social patterns affect the sex life and sexuality of the elderly.