Exploring the role of sexuality and intimacy in palliative care: a need for holistic support

It must be that time of the year! Shop windows are festooned with heart balloons, cards proclaiming love for anonymous suitors and meal deals promising to satisfy romantic and indulgent appetites with prawn cocktails and meaty steaks.

This time every year, the life of a third century martyr is celebrated and the intimacy of our relationships, self, connections and sexuality is explored through the celebratory acts of giving roses and chocolates, among other things. Yet, when it comes to professional support, such expressions may not always be readily facilitated in palliative care.

For many patients, disease processes and their treatments can be deleterious, disabling and depressing. The changes wrought to their sexuality and its expression of feelings, thoughts and behaviours, whether emotional or sensual, physical or psychological, social or spiritual can be one of the most challenging aspects of the changes associated with their experience of illness and their overall wellbeing. Patients receiving palliative care often express a desire to discuss the impact of their illness on their sexuality (Lemieux et al, 2004; Wang et al, 2018). Taylor (2014) offered the insight that coupled relationships are ‘becoming apart’, as the relationship is experiencing an ending, further emphasising the need for inclusive care.