The myth that old people never have sex must be dispelled, say experts.

The British Society of Gerontology's annual meeting in Birmingham will hear that sex plays an important part in the lives of many elderly people.

However, experts will tell the conference that there is widely held theory that most older people are asexual.

The sexual desire and expression of older people is often neglected Mary Gilhooley, British Society of Gerontology

Researchers will say such attitudes leave elderly people feeling marginalised and mean their needs are often ignored.

The researchers also identified a reluctance to explore the issue of sex and older people. Few studies have been carried out in this area in the UK.

Sex life

Another study found that many pensioners regard sex as important even if they are not actually engaging in it.

In interviews, pensioners said sex remained important until such time as there were insurmountable barriers to intercourse.

However, the authors of that paper warn that their findings should not give rise to a new myth of a "super oldie" who has sex all of the time.

They said that such a myth would be as damaging as the asexual myth.

Other speakers at the conference will also examine the lives of older gay and lesbian people.

Another team of researchers will examine how institutional care impacts on the sex lives of the elderly.

They will claim that many nursing home workers look negatively at older people's expression of their sexuality and particularly so if they are not heterosexual.

The researchers from Stirling University have produced a CD Rom to show ways in which residents can create opportunities for sexual experience, sexual meaning and sexual expression.

Tackling stereotypes

Mary Gilhooley, president of the British Society of Gerontology, said the conference was aimed at sweeping many of the existing stereotypes aside.

"The sexual desire and expression of older people is often neglected. We have taken up the challenge to rectify the stereotyping and discrimination of older people.

"Our task is to make sure that older people are seen in all their diversity and not diminished by the narrow and harmful stereotypes which persist in our society. This has implications for us all, whatever our age."