Physical Intimacy and the Dying

Is Touching Taboo?

Join SevenPonds each month as Tani Bahti, RN, CT, CHPN, offers practical on-hand guidance to demystify the dying process. As an RN since 1976, Tani has been working to empower families and healthcare professionals to have the best end-of-life experience possible both through education and the development of helpful tools and resources. As the current Director of Pathways, Tani is also the author of “Dying to Know, Straight Talk About Death and Dying,” considered by SevenPonds to be one of the most practical books on the topic. Founder Suzette Sherman says this is, “the book I will have at the bedside of my dying parents some day, hopefully a very long time from now.”

The need for touch

“Caress”
(Credit: Albert Lo)

I observed the loving and longing in Dan’s eyes as he looked towards Jean. Although married for 46 years, their eyes still sparkled when they gazed at each other. He’d kiss her hand and stroke her forehead, and she’d close her eyes and smile.

I had asked him about their lives together during many hospice visits, but this particular visit he hesitated, looked down, and whispered quietly, “I miss our physical contact. We were ‘very active,’ you might say, and always slept spooning each other.” His voice trailed off, and he looked away with some embarrassment.

I painfully recognized my failure to address the couple’s intimacy needs. That need was so low on my own list of ‘priorities’ of assuring comfort and preventing bedsores and constipation that I did not ask how they defined quality of life and how sexuality ranked in terms of importance.

Senior couple enjoys intimacy

Credit: pixabay

Although our bodies may fail us, our spirit often remains vibrant. Our need for the healing value of touch remains high. Too often, once a person requires oxygen, medications for pain or is placed in a single hospital bed, he or she becomes “the patient” needing care, and secondarily a spouse or partner. Many people feel that it is taboo, selfish and even perverted to consider their dying partners in a sexual way.

It’s also true that the symptoms of many diseases; the side effects of many medications; decreasing energy; the changes in both body image and control; and lack of sexual desire can make this a moot issue for many couples. But for those with a mutual interest, we must address the barriers and normalize basic human desires.

elderly hands healing touch

Credit: pixabay

Sexuality may be expressed with a tender touch, kissing or simply embracing and spooning. Gently massaging the back, shoulders, hands, or feet is a form of loving human contact that promotes comfort and connection. Sexual intimacy may still be possible with the use of positioning pillows for comfort, making sure tubes aren’t trapped in awkward places, and making sure that pain or nausea are under control and not interfering with the pleasure of touch.

It’s okay to ask.

We do not lose our humanness and need for connection when we are dying.

We may have to make adjustments, forego some aspects or find creative yet loving ways to maintain the connection in a way that affirms the loving relationship that was present before the illness.

Human touch, however lovingly delivered, is a potent elixir.

Take a look at a copy of Tani’s book “Dying to Know — Straight talk about Death and Dying” to help demystify the process and offer words of wisdom on the many aspects of dying. 

FacebookTwitterPinterestShare
This entry was posted in Dying Well and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to Physical Intimacy and the Dying

  1. A subject of great importance but usually avoided. A simple touch from a loved one can speak volumes to a declining patient. I have seen and experienced it many times.

    Report this comment

  2. avatar Patricia Boynton says:

    My partner died last year in the hospice where I work. We both enjoyed spending time together and intimacy was part of our end of life journey. Nurses even put two hospital beds together so that we were both on the same level and together, with his beloved dog sleeping at our feet as was the norm. Importantly many memories to be always cherished. Without love and intimacy it would be so much harder to cope.

    Report this comment

  3. avatar Pamela Pack says:

    My husband died 8/27/16. I am raw. My memory of lying beside him in the hospital bed, very scrunched up is one of my most precious. We were able to do this for couple hours several nights. It almost seemed like we were home. As he worsened, he was more uncomfortable. I sat beside him with my head on his chest his last few nights in hospice. When he passed away I drove quickly to him and again pulled a chair up close as I could and lay my head on his chest for several hours. We are in our late sixties. Being able to cuddle as if we were home was a gift from hospice. Ralph loved to cuddle so this is a very peaceful memory.

    Report this comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *