Pornography in seniors' homes


Provided by: Sun Media

This week I ran into the same problem I've encountered many times before. Many writers will understand. I was bored, weary of my computer and barren of ideas. I've written 1,400 columns during the last 28 years. And I desperately needed a new topic to keep me from falling asleep. Suddenly, I discovered it in Denmark. Then I couldn't wait to get back to my computer. Why? Because this story could never happen in "Canada, The Good."

A unique event has happened at the Thorupgaarden nursing home in Copenhagen. Don't ask me how it started, but the staff must have had a few fascinating discussions before making their earth-shaking pronouncement. They decided, in their infinite wisdom, that pornography has a greater calming effect on seniors than medication.

So how do they know this? I remember a line in a song from years ago, Saturday night is the loneliest night of the week. Well, evidently it's not so lonely anymore at Thorupgaarden. Every Saturday night, pornographic videos are shown on the home's internal channel.

But before all my proper Canadian readers turn blue, you must understand that that's not all that happens at Thorupgaarden. If residents are still feeling a little depressed and still not relaxed by looking at pornographic videos, caregivers have another therapy to offer. Residents can request that a prostitute be allowed to visit.

Lars Elmsted Petersen, a spokesperson for the Danish Seniors lobby group, says pornography is healthier, cheaper and easier to use than medicine. If she's right, what a novel way to decrease the escalating healthcare costs of seniors in this country.

SEXUALITY OFTEN OVERLOOKED

So how have the Danes citizens and Thorupgaarden residents reacted to this unorthodox therapy? Maj-Britt, a department head at Thorupgaarden, says that sexuality is often overlooked in nursing homes. And that there has been only one complaint about these videos since the program started three years ago. And Danish gerontologists (experts who care for the aged) also agree with this practice.

What about the Danish government? Does it have any objections? No. It released a report stating that sexuality is an integral part of life for both seniors and disabled people. And it agrees with caregivers that elderly patients should be able to satisfy their sexual needs.

Before I go further, let me reassure readers I'm no friend of child pornography. I'm also convinced that the moral standards of North Americans have gone to hell. But I also believe there's an unhealthy tendency on this continent to label seniors as "perverts" or "dirty old men" if they show any evidence of sexuality.

So could this Danish move benefit our seniors? Would it convince puritans to take a more realistic view of sex? And hopefully teach young people that elderly parents don't automatically stop thinking about sex at 60, 70 or whatever age? After all, it's not young males lining up to get a Viagra prescription!

But do I envision this broadminded therapy for seniors in Canada? People from other countries often ask me, "What is the difference between Montreal and Toronto? I usually reply, "In Toronto, they make money. In Montreal, they make love." So maybe, at some future time, Quebecers will agree seniors think more about sex than Anne of Green Gables.

But what about our politicians? Do they possess the same intestinal fortitude as Danes to say sex is healthy for seniors? Can you imagine in your wildest dreams the Liberal government sanctioning such a liberal act? Or Toronto the Good advocating pornography and Ladies of the Night for seniors?

I suspect this topic has shocked some readers. If it has, just remember it's prudent never to ask for whom the bell tolls. We, too, may be sitting in a not-so-interesting nursing home one day. We'll be bored as heck. And hey! A pornographic video on a Saturday night might add a spark to life and bring back memories. When it's my time to go, I'd rather end it with a Lady of the Night than by falling off my rocking chair.

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The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

I dunno-I always liked the "Anne of Green Gables" serials on PBS.But dammit there goes my dirty ol' man image.I think it's pretty cool and doesn't surprise me that the Danes instituted such a program.The Scandinavian people have always been light years ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to accepting human sexuallity.IMHO

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The name says it all!

Well, I guess Florida will no longer be the retirement capital of the world once word gets out, huh?

Although it begs the question, and no insult intended, when I'm watching porno in my golden years, will I remember what to do??

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I wouldn't say that I'm always horny... it may be true, mind you, I just wouldn't say it!

ROFL.. hell yeah... it would definetely work better than any medication I know of Hell... the worlds worries would be gone if someone could just figure out a way to bottle something that would result in an earthshattering orgasm each time it is digested. LOL

It certainly sounds like the kind of rest home I want to go to... my question is tho....

Prostitution is notoriously female dominated.. so what happens to us little ole ladies? Is male prostitution available to?

I think women out number men like a zillion to 1 at that age...dannyk I bet 1 or 2 or 10 ladies could remind you

__________________

The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.~ Betty Grable

If I wanted your opinion, I'd remove the duct tape and ask you for it.~ Me
<~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
One man's dream is another man's nightmare~~~~> §¤ Lilith ¤§
~>My Scribbles<~
==>Gone Shopping<== ~Just a Quickie~ *~A Celebration Vacation~* ~Surprises~ Sleeping With the Window Open
What Did You Do Today? Self Defense Class ~Short Sweet Snippets~ § Summer Spin § Story Challenge Submission Pajamas

Cool story. I'm not surprised at all by the findings that porn can calm better than medication. And why shouldn't the elderly be allowed to be more sexually aware? Just because you are old doesn't mean you can't enjoy at least watching sex. That sounds like the nursing home I want to go to in my golden years.

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To the world you might be one person, but to one person, you might just be the world.

A clear conscience is a sign of a bad memory.

This was sent to me by a senior citizen...and I thought this thread was a great place to post this...

They want to have fun too!!! These ARE ACTUAL PERSONAL ADDS PLACED!!

FOXY LADY: Sexy, fashion-conscious blue-haired beauty, 80's, slim,5'-4" (used to be 5-6), searching for sharp-looking, sharp-dressing companion. Matching white shoes and belt a plus.


LONG-TERM COMMITMENT: Recent widow who has just buried fourth husband looking for someone to round out a six- unit plot. Dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath not a problem.


SERENITY NOW: I am into solitude, long walks, sunrises, the ocean, yoga and meditation. If you are the silent type, let's get together, take our hearing aids out and enjoy quiet times.


WINNING SMILE: Active grandmother with original teeth seeking a dedicated flossier to share rare steaks, corn on the cob and caramel candy.


BEATLES OR STONES? I still like to rock, still like to cruise in my Camaro on Saturday nights and still like to play the air guitar. If you were a groovy chick, or are now a groovy hen, let's get together and listen to my boss collection of eight-track tapes.


MEMORIES: I can usually remember Monday through Thursday. If you can remember Friday, Saturday and Sunday, let's put our two heads together.


MINT CONDITION: Male, 1932, high mileage, good condition, some hair, many new parts including hip, knee, cornea,
valves. Isn't in running condition, but walks well.

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*Diva*



"Never shall I forget the time I spent with you. Please
continue to be my friend, as you will always find me yours."
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."