Managing Sexually Inappropriate Behaviour among the Older Adults with Dementia

Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia are more distressing for the caregivers of persons with dementia, compared to the cognitive symptoms. Inappropriate sexual behavior or hypersexuality is one of the behavioral problems which cause significant caregiver stress and without proper management, may result in institutionalization and social isolation. There is currently no official treatment guideline in the management of inappropriate sexual behavior in dementia. Successful management of sexual disinhibition is often multifactorial and the approach should be individualized with non-pharmacological and pharmacological approach.

Keywords: dementia, BPSD, hypersexuality, sexual disinhibition, inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB).