Intimacy and Dementia: An Ethical Approach to Risk-Based Decision-Making

Intimacy occurring in the context of dementia has the potential to negatively impact not only those directly involved but also those who care for them. Nowhere are the stakes higher than in residential communities where individuals with cognitive impairment are concentrated in a congregate living situation with frequent opportunities for interaction. Long-term care communities must simultaneously balance resident safety and autonomy, address the concerns of nonresident spouses and family members, and strive to avoid potentially serious legal and regulatory ramifications related to the issue of consent.