Intimacy remains a significant component of overall wellbeing in later life, although the topic remains socially and culturally invisible
By Sandra Barrueto
Images: Bárbara Cayuleo
Chile is experiencing an accelerated process of demographic ageing. By the end of 2025, almost 30% of the population will be 60 years old or older. In this scenario, sexuality in the elderly becomes increasingly relevant, as it involves not only more elderly people in the country, but also diverse ways of understanding wellbeing and experiencing old age.
The 4th National Survey on Quality of Life in Old Age 2022 (Universidad Católica–Caja Los Andes) indicated that for 65% of the elderly adults surveyed, sex life remains very important. This data confirms that sexuality continues to be a significant component of integral wellbeing at this stage, although the topic remains socially and culturally invisible.
Fundación Bienestar Mayor (“Senior Welfare Foundation”, in English) works to address this gap, positioning the topic in seminars, conferences and the media, and helping shape public policies nationally and internationally. Within this framework, it has developed and disseminated pioneering research, such as “What is sexuality? Conceptions from the voices of older adults”, published in the Némesis journal of the University of Chile, and participated in the Commission on the Comprehensive Law for Older Adults of the Senate’s Thematic Committee on Older Adults (2023), the Civil Society Committee on Older Adults of ECLAC (2023-2025) and the UN Civil Society Advisory Council (2025), amongst others.
“When I was 21 years old, during my Social Work placement, I was asked to support a sexuality workshop for elderly adults. At first, I was surprised by the topic, but experiencing it made me understand that there was a deeply overlooked need: sexuality in old age. That moment marked the beginning of Bienestar Mayor, with the purpose of ensuring that older adults can live their sexuality in a free, informed, and dignified manner” comments Victoria Pávez, executive director of Fundación Bienestar Mayor.
This initial drive transformed into a student project, then into a self-managed group and, finally, in 2023 into Fundación Bienestar Mayor, establishing itself as the only foundation in Chile and Latin America dedicated exclusively to sexuality in older adults and active ageing.
Between 2022 and 2025, the foundation has developed 108 activities, bringing together 4,129 participants. Face-to-face initiatives were carried out in Chile, whilst virtual ones allowed for broader reach and concrete collaborations with Spain and Colombia.
Myths and taboos about sexuality in old age
Elderly adults show interest in breaking down myths and taboos about sexuality in old age, as well as in sexual health topics related to menopause, andropause and bodily changes. They also highlight self-pleasure, new forms of intimacy and the importance of sexual rights and non-discrimination, with a growing focus on sexual and gender diversity in old age.
“Participating in the foundation’s activities has been a transformative experience. I understood that sexuality is a natural and important part of life, and that it’s possible to enjoy it healthily and safely at any age. It has improved communication with my partner about my needs and desires, bringing us closer together”, states Cecilia Donoso, 72, a beneficiary of Fundación Bienestar Mayor.
Likewise, the relationship between active ageing and sexual life gains relevance, as do experiences linked to the individual experience of sexuality, including re-signification after widowhood, divorce or separation, where grief and personal reconstruction directly impact intimacy.
Victoria Pávez notes that “elderly adults appreciate safe, non-judgmental spaces, and that for the first time they are asked about their sexuality. More than 90% of participants in our workshops and activities tell us that they found them useful and meaningful for their daily lives. 85% express feeling more confident and secure about discussing their sexuality after attending”.
Bienestar Mayor has implemented a system of national and international placements as a training experience for professionals in this field, an intergenerational volunteer programme of agents for sexual wellbeing, and is currently developing the Academia del Bienestar Sexual Mayor Plateado (“Silver Sexual Wellbeing Academy”, in English), aimed at promoting comprehensive sexual education with a life-course approach.
“In 2024, I decided to join Fundación Bienestar Mayor after learning about part of what it’s dedicated to, but I never imagined that for me it would be an incredibly rewarding experience both professionally and personally. It has allowed me to gain new knowledge about ageing and sexuality, and sharing intergenerationally with professionals from diverse areas has been a great opportunity”, recounts Teresa Molina, 71, coordinator of the Programa de Voluntariado Intergeneracional Agentes por el Bienestar Sexual Mayor (“Intergenerational Volunteer Programme Agents for Greater Sexual Wellbeing”, in English).
How to Help?
For more information, you can contact the foundation through their email: bienestarmayorchile@gmail.com or on Instagram.
