Realize: Sexual Health for Older Adults (SHOP) Resources

Older adults often face barriers such as stigma, misinformation, and limited access to sexual health education, placing them at increased risk for HIV and sexually transmitted bloodborne infections (STBBI’s). We conducted an online global environmental scan to assess the accessibility of resources addressing the sexual health and sexuality of older adults (aged 50+). We found a significant gap, with few resources available. In response, we developed two toolkits. One toolkit for older adults, and one for services providers who work with older adults. The resources in both toolkits are sex positive, and include information on pleasure, intimacy, optimizing sexual well-being, HIV/STBBI prevention, safer sex, and strategies to manage changes in sexual function.