1. Intimacy is a basic human need, but assessing intimacy and sexuality in people with dementia presents both benefits and risks that must be carefully considered. 2. Factors like autonomy, competence, risk of coercion, medical issues, and perspectives of the person, family, staff and organization all must be weighed. 3. Guidelines from organizations provide tools for staff training and discussion to help build knowledge and skills for appropriately addressing intimacy and sexuality in dementia patients.