National Resource Center on HIV and Aging

The growing aging adult population living with HIV is testimony to the effectiveness of HIV treatments which give the promise of a long life. Older adults, including Long Term Survivors, now dominate the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the USA. Like everyone else, these over 50 and over 55 adults are developing the near inevitable illnesses associated with aging – heart disease, diabetes, cancers, kidney disorders, osteoporosis, dementias and more. Unfortunately, they are developing more of these comorbid conditions than uninfected peers. In fact, today HIV care providers report spending most of their time treating non-HIV illnesses. This National Resource Center for HIV & Aging site addresses multiple unmet needs. The older adult with HIV needs information that will empower them to take better control of their health and advocate for the best care as they age. The site’s UpToDate data informed content is aimed at the older adult patient and those who provide them with supportive services as they age. Much of the clinical information on this site is derived from the American Academy of HIV Medicine’s guides for managing the health of older adults with HIV. Important breaking news and research information will be featured as well together with multiple types of resource materials.

HIV Resources

55 AND OVER LIVING WITH HIV

How to age well has emerged as the primary health concern of older adults with HIV. When compared to the general population, many are developing more chronic illnesses as they age. This is called multimorbidity. Decades of research on multimorbidity management inform geriatric care principles. Geriatric care principles must be embraced. They focus on day to day function, independence and quality of life. Primary factors are treatment coordination, leveraging the powerful impact of social support resources and prioritizing mental health management. Geriatricians give priority to patient centered care. They know that health outcomes are not only a function of pills, but also psychosocial factors that are too often ignored.

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55 and older

THE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER

The Resource Center will provide the client with the basic information needed to understand the clinical and psychosocial challenges they confront as they age. Health seeking behaviors must change. The clinical information on this site reflects the treatment recommendations developed and monitored by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. Years of research document the extreme social isolation and associated high rates of unmanaged depression that these older adults with HIV confront. The site details the risks for multimorbidity that can be changed to improve health outcomes.

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Elderly growing with aids

ADULTS LIVING WITH HIV

Older adults sometimes feel as if their needs are not being addressed by AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs). The Community Map of the Resource site is unique. The map graphically shows what programs aimed at the older adult with HIV are being provided by ASOs, CBOs and other organizations across this nation. New ideas and collaborations should emerge from the community map.
This Resource site is a partnership with communities. It is a work in progress. Resources will include slide decks, summaries of research data, sponsored webinars, details of trainings/interventions being developed, publications and graphics for downloading. As we move toward the end of the third decade of the HIV Epidemic, this Resource Center recognizes the need to give priority to the needs of older adults living with HIV.