b'SEXUAL HEALTHSupporting the sexual health of people living with dementiaA free online program to enhance knowledge, skills and confidence By Em Thielking & Katelynn AelickI f a person living with dementiapart online program was officiallywith dementia in long-term care removes their clothing in thelaunched in February 2025. Eachhomes with the aim of identifying dining room, or asks for privacymodule in the program focuses ontheir unmet sexual health needs. In in order to be sexually active with aa specific aspect of supporting thethis module, many of the illustrated new partner, would you know howsexual health of people living withcharacters from Module 1 who to respond in a person-centred anddementia. In Module 1, Dementia &were living in the community are supportive way? Sexuality: An Introduction, learnersnow residents of Red Oak Manor, a are introduced to fictional charactersfictional long-term care home. As Sexuality is an important part of based on real-world experienceslearners make their way through the being human, yet many health care who navigate life with dementia incase scenarios, they shadow health providers feel unprepared to addressvarious settings. Through their stories,care providers by attending huddles, the sexual health needs of long-termlearners explore how changes inparticipating in care conferences care residents living with dementia.the brain impact the way individualswith care partners, and completing express their unmet sexual healthassessments and documentation.In response to this knowledge gap,needs. This module also highlights the the Behavioural Supports Ontarioimportance of sexual well-being inModule 2 employs the use of the (BSO) Sexual Expression andolder age and encourages learners toPIECES acronym, which prompts Dementia Working Group developedrethink commonly held beliefs abouthealth care providers to recognize the an evidence-informed and person- sexuality and aging. The module isphysical, intellectual and emotional centred online program to enhancealso available in French. capabilities, and environment and health care providers knowledge,social needs of each person. In skills and confidence for supportingIn Module 2, Communicating withorder to be able to fully embrace the sexual health of people living withLong-Term Care Residents aboutthe content of Module 2, learners dementia in long-term care homes. Sexual Health, learners follow alongare encouraged to complete the with health care providers as theyPIECES Learning and Development The Supporting the Sexual Healthhave respectful, person-centredProgram (for regulated health care of People with Dementia three- conversations with residents livingproviders whose scope of practice 34 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2025'