Health psychologist Frans Hoogeveen and elderly-care sexologist Sara Vegt argued on Nieuwsuur that care workers should discuss the intimate and sexual needs of people with dementia and their partners more openly, both at home and in nursing homes. Hoogeveen said case managers often avoid the subject and that the belief that older people no longer need sex is a misconception. The discussion also addressed the film *Queen at Sea*, in which the partners disagree about whether a woman with advanced dementia can have a sexual relationship.

Vegt said that dementia does not automatically mean someone is unable to consent to an intimate or sexual relationship. Care workers should carefully assess whether both people want the relationship, using their behaviour and body language, and should protect anyone who appears unwilling or distressed. Intimate relationships between nursing-home residents can cause pain for partners and children, but Vegt said that a positive relationship should not automatically be ended at their request because the residents also have rights. Hoogeveen and Vegt acknowledged that interpreting signals is difficult and that views differ within elderly care.