Spirit and Body Willing: Sex Over Age 70

Spirit and Body Willing: Sex Over Age 70

Winner of Edward R. Murrow Award, Best Documentary from the Radio and Television News Directors Association, 2004.

The sexuality of older Americans is an unspoken subject. After all, who can imagine their parents having sex, much less their grandparents? But for many people age 70 and above, sexuality often remains an important part of life and their identity. And they may face obstacles to fulfilling their needs for physical and emotional intimacy — among them, skewed demographics, lack of sexual information, health and medical issues, children’s attitudes and the reactions of nursing aides and peers. However, at one Chicago-area senior apartment complex, the sexual well-being of residents is supported, thanks largely to its executive director, who is also a sex therapist.

Produced by Diane Richard and Todd Melby.

Broadcast on Chicago Public Media, 2003. Also broadcast on Radio Netherlands, BBC Radio 4, KFAI Minneapolis, Spokane Public Radio and WMPG Portland Public Radio in Maine.

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