Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS)

Sexual activity in aged persons is often dangerous to their health.

Males over the age of 65 typically take longer to attain an erection of their penis than do younger males.

Males over the age of 65 usually experience a reduction in intensity of orgasm relative to younger males.

The firmness of erection in aged males is often less than that of younger persons.

The older female (65+ years of age) has reduced vaginal lubrication secretion relative to younger females.

The aged female takes longer to achieve adequate vaginal lubrication relative to younger females.

The older female may experience painful intercourse due to reduced elasticity of the vagina and reduced vaginal lubrication.

Sexuality is typically a life-long need.

Sexual behavior in older people (65+) increases the risk of heart attack.

Most males over the age of 65 are unable to engage in sexual intercourse.

The relatively most sexually active younger people tend to become the relatively most sexually active older people.

There is evidence that sexual activity in older persons has beneficial physical effects on the participants.

Sexual activity may be psychologically beneficial to older person participants.

Most older females are sexually unresponsive.

The sex urge typically increases with age in males over 65.

Prescription drugs may alter a person's sex drive.

Females, after menopause, have a physiologically induced need for sexual activity.

Basically, changes with advanced age (65+) in sexuality involve a slowing of response time rather than a reduction of interest in sex.

Older males typically experience a reduced need to ejaculate and hence may maintain an erection of the penis for a longer time than younger males.

Older males and females cannot act as sex partners as both need younger partners for stimulation.

The most common determinant of the frequency of sexual activity in older couples is the interest or lack of interest of the husband in a sexual relationship with his wife.

Barbiturates, tranquilizers, and alcohol may lower the sexual arousal levels of aged persons and interfere with sexual responsiveness.

Sexual disinterest in aged persons may be a reflection of a psychological state of depression.

There is a decrease in frequency of sexual activity with older age in males.

There is a greater decrease in male sexuality with age than there is in female sexuality.

Heavy consumption of cigarettes may diminish sexual desire.

An important factor in the maintenance of sexual responsiveness in the aging male is the consistency of sexual activity throughout his life.

Fear of the inability to perform sexually may bring about an inability to perform sexually in older males.

The ending of sexual activity in old age is most likely and primarily due to social and psychological causes rather than biological and physical causes.

Excessive masturbation may bring about an early onset of mental confusion and dementia in the aged.

There is an inevitable loss of sexual satisfaction in post-menopausal women.

Secondary impotence (or non-physiologically caused) increases in males over the age of 60 relative to young males.

Impotence in aged males may literally be effectively treated and cured in many instances.

In the absence of severe physical disability, males and females may maintain sexual interest and activity well into their 80s and 90s.

Masturbation in older males and females has beneficial effects on the maintenance of sexual responsiveness.

Aged people have little interest in sexuality. (Aged = 65+ years of age.)

An aged person who shows sexual interest brings disgrace to himself/herself.

Institutions, such as nursing homes, ought not to encourage or support sexual activity of any sort in its residents.

Male and female residents of nursing homes ought to live on separate floors or separate wings of the nursing home.

Nursing homes have no obligation to provide adequate privacy for residents who desire to be alone, either by themselves or as a couple.

As one becomes older (say past 65) interest in sexuality inevitably disappears.

If a relative of mine, living in a nursing home, was to have a sexual relationship with another resident I would: Complain to the management.

If a relative of mine, living in a nursing home, was to have a sexual relationship with another resident I would: Move my relative from this institution.

If a relative of mine, living in a nursing home, was to have a sexual relationship with another resident I would: Stay out of it as it is not my concern.

If I knew that a particular nursing home permitted and supported sexual activity in residents who desired such, I would not place a relative in that nursing home.

It is immoral for older persons to engage in recreational sex.

I would like to know more about the changes in sexual functioning in older years.

I feel I know all I need to know about sexuality in the aged.

I would complain to the management if I knew of sexual activity between any residents of a nursing home.

I would support sex education courses for aged residents of nursing homes.

I would support sex education courses for the staff of nursing homes.

Masturbation is an acceptable sexual activity for older males.

Masturbation is an acceptable sexual activity for older females.

Institutions, such as the nursing home, ought to provide large enough beds for couples who desire such to sleep together.

Staff of nursing homes ought to be trained or educated with regard to sexuality in the aged and/or disabled.

Residents of nursing homes ought not to engage in sexual activity of any sort.

Institutions, such as nursing homes, should provide opportunities for the social interaction of men and women.

Masturbation is harmful and ought to be avoided.

Institutions, such as nursing homes, should provide privacy such as to allow residents to engage in sexual behavior without fear of intrusion of observation.

If family members object to a widowed relative engaging in sexual relations with another resident of a nursing home, it is the obligation of the management and staff to make certain that such sexual activity is prevented.

Sexual relations outside the context of marriage are always wrong.