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Social Worker Preaches Value of Safer Sex to the Elderly

Photo courtesy of the Jewish Daily Forward.

Social worker Dianne Matthew goes to senior citizen centers and country clubs throughout south Florida, preaching about the value of safer sex to the elderly. Her campaign was recently covered in this article in the Sun Sentinel.

Americans over the age of 50 are one of the fastest growing demographics for new HIV infections. That age group is also experiencing higher infection rates of other venereal diseases such as syphilis, the article said.

Elderly Americans are getting more chances to have sex because they are living longer and drugs such as Cialis improve sexual performance in men. However, Matthew said many have missed the lessons on safer sex practices that younger people received.

“You think you’re not going to get pregnant, so why do you need to use condoms?” said Matthew, who is clinical director at Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service west of Boca Raton. “After 50 years of marriage, you’re not used to this.”

To learn more about how social workers help improve the lifestyles of elderly Americans visit the National Association of Social Workers “Help Starts Here” Seniors and Aging Website by clicking here.

 

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1 Comment

  1. Safe sex is OK of course, but for an octogenarian using a condom, isn’t that a bit like an old and ugly bloke washing his feet with his shoes on??

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