AN NHS leaflet that encourages pensioners to get bonking has been branded “obscene” by critics.
The pamphlet - Ageing Well in Medway – cost £13,700 to produce and tells the over 60s to consider Viagra, dating agencies and safe sex.
But the racy instruction manual has hit trouble from the elderly who say it’s a waste of healthcare funds.
The guide, funded by the NHS and supported by Medway Council and Medway Older Persons Partnership (MOPP), tells readers: “There are many reasons why sex is good for you. In women it can increase blood oestrogen levels, helping to protect against coronary heart disease and osteoporosis, and helps keep the pelvic muscles toned, reducing the risk of incontinence.
“In men, sex releases hormones which help strengthen bones and muscles, protect against heart disease and may relieve congestion in the prostrate gland.
“For both sexes it is a great stress reliever, induces sleep and is fun.”
The leaflet goes on to say: “It is an inevitable fact that, however young we feel inside, physically, our body is changing. Your hair is graying, your skin is looser and you may find it harder to do the physical things you could easily do before.
“You may also be suffering from sexual problems related to age. However these things should not be just accepted. Your general practitioner can probably help you so don’t be embarrassed ask for advice.”
The bonk-busting wrinkly sex guide – part of a booklet about elderly people’s services in Medway - also tells pensioners that it’s “never too late to experiment” and even gives the address and phone number of the local sexual health clinic.
Each 60-page booklet cost 70 pence to produce and 2,000 are shortly to be shipped out to Medway’s over 60s.
But critics say the cash could have been better used.
Pensioner Ivy Thomas, 79, a widow, of Gillingham, said: “In my day we never spoke of these things and there’s no way I’m going to start now.
“If other people want to read it, that’s up to them. Money doesn’t grow on trees nowadays, but this lot don't know that."
And the Taxpayers’ Alliance are behind her.
Spokeswoman, Susie Squire, said: “This is an obscene waste of money and could even be said to interfere in people’s private lives. In a time when people are watching every penny they spend it’s a wholly inadequate use of healthcare funds. To many it will even constitute an insult. This money could be used on operations.”
But others said sex among the elderly was an important subject that pensioners should not feel uncomfortable to discuss.
Toni Lancaster, of Age Concern Gillingham, said: “Sex is an important part of everyone’s life, regardless of age.
“We live in an ageing society where people live longer and healthier lives and more and more people continue to be sexually active at an older age.
“Those who want to read it will and those who don’t, won’t. Old people have been there and done it – we didn’t invent anything.”
And Tricia Butt, development manager of MOPP, added: “I went to a forum very recently where a 62-year-old got up and said there was no way she’d talk to her daughter about her sex life, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have one.
“People seem to think you get to a certain age and are stripped of your libidinal energy and that’s certainly not true.
“No-one can say this is a waste of money if it helps people.”
Barbara Mead, NHS project manager, said: “We are delighted at the interest the booklet has already generated with the older population of Medway and are sure it will be of use.”
POSTED: 15/07/2009 07:45:00
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: