C'mon, no snickering.

SEXUAL EXPRESSION IS ONE OF THOSE topics that tends to elicit raised eyebrows in some, wide-eyed titillation in many, and certainly interest from most. When the objects of affection are nursing home residents, however, jaws tend to slacken a bit and lips tend to curl up into a tight smile. In "Somebody to love," which starts on page 22, contributing writer Wendy L. Bonifazi explains how everybody's doin' it, and how some facilities are handling the issues of privacy and sensitivity that this raises.

Carol lanuzzo, social services director at Penn Ya Manor Nursing Home in New York, points out, "Today, by state law, facilities must accommodate privacy needs of consenting adults. Some people still think residents shouldn't have sex at their age. With education, they can get over the giggles and discomfort, and learn not to judge people according to their own values."

The topic is more than just one of acknowledging residents' rights to sexual expression among themselves or with visitors; privacy; and obtaining legal, sexually explicit materials. It's as much to do with a facility providing counseling to staff members, regarding which behaviors are and aren't staff business, dealing with moral and religious beliefs, and coping with families' opposition to such activity. I think you'll find the article a real eye-opener.

Along with this issue we also present our annual Focus on Finance, a topic so huge it couldn't be contained in our annual supplement (which follows page 34 in this issue). The supplement--handily edited by Senior Editor Sam Adler--reviews how the long term care industry has been assaulted by a one-two punch. Events about a year and a half ago made it harder for long term care providers to obtain capital. The shortage of debt financing was subsequently exacerbated by PPS and occupancy issues. Then, last year, the public equity market all but abandoned the sector: shares of some nursing home chains are selling for pennies and assisted living companies have also taken a hit. Nonetheless, there are still lenders willing to work with the right providers. See our supplement and special section for some answers.

This issue also gives me the opportunity to congratulate Kathleen Wereszynski on her promotion to associate editor here at CLTC. Since her start with the magazine in September 1999, Kathleen has exemplified the can-do attitude. The magazine has always benefitted from her input; now you'll benefit from her heightened visibility.

Mark Zacharia Editor-in-Chief