National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness
September 18th is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. This year’s campaign is titled “Aging is a part of life; HIV doesn’t have to be.” This is the 3rd annual campaign created to raise awareness about challenges the aging population faces in regards to HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, access to care, and treatment options.
In 2006 more than 25% of those living with HIV/AIDS were over the age of 50. As our population shifts this number could continue to rise. This highlights the fact that there is a growing need for research and data to help medical professionals develop a better understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS on the aging process. And as our baby boomers age, it is key to educate this population about prevention and protection from HIV/AIDS. This year’s campaign also focuses on the increased number of grandparents who have become legal guardians to children who lost their parents due to HIV/AIDS.
Older adults and their physicians may not consider this a population at risk, and consequently may not discuss prevention or encourage testing. In addition to this obstacle, the signs and symptoms of HIV can be mistaken for other conditions associated with aging, delaying an accurate diagnosis. Many older adults could be living with HIV and not know they are infected, and a consequence of this is that adults over the age of 50 are more likely than any other age group to be diagnosed with AIDS within one year of being diagnosed with HIV.
To promote this campaign, the staff at St. Andrew’s Senior Solutions would like to take this opportunity to remind clients and loved ones of the importance of HIV testing and education about prevention. There are free and confidential testing sites in every community and you can contact your Elder Care Specialist to locate a center in your area.
Information obtained from The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the nation’s Medical Research Agency, which is a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services. For additional information please visit www.nih.gov.