Seniors Discuss Love and Intimacy

For Immediate Release
November 14, 2008
North York, ON

“Love and Intimacy Over 60” will be discussed at 1 p.m. November 24, when the Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living welcomes back guest speaker, Michele Cauch of SageHealth Network. Cauch will present the 2-hour workshop with Jane P. Fowler, founder and director of HIV Wisdom for Older Women, a national program in the U.S. Sponsored by Amica at Thornhill, their talks will focus on seniors’ sexual health promotion and HIV awareness.

The 65-and-over population, according to Statistics Canada, comprised a record 13.7% of Canada’s total population in 2006. It is estimated that by 2050 those over 65 will represent 26.3% of the total population. Although this burgeoning group continues to increase, it has never been the target of healthy sexual messaging. All research indicates that persons over 65 are sexually active, yet this sector of the population continues to be ignored by traditional sexual health education campaigns.

“The fact remains that seniors are having sex, and they’re at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections,” Cauch said. “It’s essential to raise awareness of sexual health dangers that may affect seniors, give them information so they can protect themselves and help them make better informed decisions about their health.”

The mandate of SageHealth Network is to promote seniors’ sexual health, dispel negative stereotypes about senior sexuality and promote positive aging. SageHealth offers workshops on sexual health promotion for older adults, and training for geriatric care providers and medical professionals. HIV Wisdom for Older Women, based in the Kansas City area, is dedicated to the prevention of HIV infection in older women and to support for elder females aging with the virus. (Programs also target older men.)




Fowler, a retired journalist, has given more than a thousand presentations at venues across the U.S. and in Canada since becoming an activist and public speaker in 1995. Her story has been told, and her work described, by the national media, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, People magazine, CNN and National Public Radio.

The goals of the upcoming workshop are to normalize sexuality as a healthy activity, introduce seniors to sexual health risks, teach ways of communicating about safe sex and help participants advocate for their own sexuality.

The workshop is free and open to men and women who want to learn new information and share their thoughts and concerns on elder sexuality. Older adults, as well as caregivers to seniors, are encouraged to attend.

The Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living is located at 1003 Steeles Avenue West (SW corner of Steeles and Bathurst). Refreshments provided. For more information, contact Amanda Vasquez at the Betel Centre T: 416- 225-2112 x126.