HIV and Aging
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 3
Introduction 4
Problem Description 5
Conclusions & Recommendations 6
References………………………………………………………………………………………..8
Executive Summary
The paper discusses the relationship between HIV and aging. HIV/AIDS has become prevalent among older people. The elderly are at stages of their lives where they need proper care and attention. Stigma and prejudice are closely linked to HIV; hence, placing the elderly people living with HIV/AIDS at compromising situations. HIV/AIDS patients tend to suffer from depression due to stigmatization. The older people, in this case, are more at risk of succumbing to depression or rather illnesses related to stress. Such a scenario may occur since these elderly individuals do not often have strong and reliable network of families and friends to assist them. The study also advices that policymakers must embrace strategies and target communities by sensitizing them on the need for being actively involved in helping the elderly to cope with their situations.
The paper as well establishes that the HIV/AIDS epidemic’s impact on the aging population is influenced by the social, political, demographic and economic conditions in which they live. Some policies have been established to help these people. For example, comprehensive aged care services and extended support care services are among the laws set aside to assist these people. The salient advantage of the policies is that the elderly patients have been able to access quality and point of care services at the comfort of their homes. On the contrary, the policies have shortcomings in that there is inadequate training on the people taking care of these people. In most cases, they do not know to handle emergencies. The policy makers must embrace research and development and know how to help these people effectively. The paper suggests that policies put in place have not offered enough and sustainable support to them.
Introduction
Policy makers need to adopt policies that can guarantee a remedy for problems arising from HIV and aging. HIV/AIDS among older people is on the rise, with immunity being the primary concern in this age group. The thymus is a critical organ that contributes to the development of an immune system by locating the T lymphocyte cells. The volume of thymus decreases as a person ages, making them more vulnerable to attacks. An age increase is as well associated with the diminishing T helper cells that aid in boosting the body’s immune system (Brooks et al. 2012). These factors show why the elderly are susceptible to opportunistic infections, which can reduce their life expectancies. The modern world has the potential of establishing interventions to address the problems that arise because of HIV among the elderly. The impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on aging individuals is shaped by their economic, demographic, political and social conditions in which they live. Other problems related to this issue are lack of communication and awareness between the old people and medical providers.
Policymakers must therefore formulate their policy to address these barriers and develop appropriate responses. Offering point of care and comprehensive aged care services are examples of systems, which can solve the problem. Another policy is the establishment of an extended family support and care services to the aging population. A policy design that envisions family care as a crucial part of health care among the elderly is desirable. Providing older people with the possibility of receiving care from relatives while staying at home increases health care quality. The policy should also aim at raising awareness by providing techniques and knowledge to families to assist them in taking good care of their older relatives. Policy makers need to acknowledge the importance of an integrated system consisting of trained health care professionals from different fields who can address the specific elders’ needs.
Problem Description
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects every gender, age, and ethnicity. It is one of the most feared infectious diseases. Prejudice and stigma attached to HIV are the main reasons why many fear it. Depression is common among HIV/AIDS patients. Older people are prone to depression because they lack a reliable network of friends and family who can help (Brooks et al., 2012). Older individuals also cope with diabetes, hypertension, and heart problems; hence, adding up to depression. The old have different and horrifying experiences regarding living with HIV. Sound policies are needed to address the issues associated with HIV and ageing.
Poor communication and lack of awareness need immediate attention from policymakers. Medical providers should ensure proper communication channels so that older people living with HIV can access medical assistance. Providing care and treatment becomes challenging when those having HIV also experience other chronic illnesses. Thus, policies must embrace the involvement of extended families and friends in offering point of care services to enhance health care quality. Loneliness and solitude inhibit progress among HIV victims, thereby calling for sustainable measures to curb such challenges.
The elderly living with HIV risk contracting pneumonia and tuberculosis (Brooks et al., 2012). Healthcare policy makers, therefore, need to invest in advanced knowledge on regimen modification as well as age related co-morbidity issues. The relationship between other illnesses and the treatment of HIV has to be considered to allow for an integration of chronic diseases care systems with antiretroviral therapy.
Conclusion and Recommendations
HIV/AIDS among elderly persons can cause depression and other diseases that take advantage of their weak immune system. Lack of proper care and the absence of love from family members can reduce their life expectancy. The aging American population accounts for 11 percent of the HIV infections that are diagnosed each year (Brooks, Buchacz, Gebo, & Mermin, 2012). Most of the affected people are still sexually active and engage in unprotected sexual behavior. This habit goes unaddressed or unmentioned in their daily interactions with care providers. Therefore, service providers and health care professionals at all levels should be enlightened about the distinguished symptoms of HIV infections and HIV risk behaviors. Health care providers and service providers should also conduct routine diagnostic HIV testing, HIV screening, thorough drug-use evaluation, and sexual risk assessments among their senior citizen clients (Brooks et al., 2012).
Community-based organizations and health care departments should systematically design educational programs for older adults, reach out to them, and educate them elaborately about HIV/AIDS. Both health practitioners and senior citizens should be enlightened about the importance of assigning specialty HIV care to an HIV-diagnosed older adult.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Health care practitioners should develop surveillance and agenda-specific research that aims at bettering the characterization of clinical epidemiology in HIV-infected elderly persons. The research should also help in determining the effects of preventive screening among persons whose HIV infection is chronic. Integration of HIV prevention services in the community is also necessary. HIV positive elderly persons should be able to access these services in their neighborhood without necessarily having to travel to healthcare facilities. Routine health care packages available for elderly persons should be expanded to cover HIV preventive measures such as HIV testing, counseling to ensure risk reduction, risk assessment, and risk screening. Routine screening of HIV/AIDS-infected older adults should be made compulsory to promote positive health outcomes and to improve their general well-being. They should also be treated for mental health conditions that might enhance stigmatization and depression.
References
Brooks, J. T., Buchacz, K., Gebo, K. A., & Mermin, J. (2012). HIV infection and older Americans: the public health perspective. American journal of public health, 102(8), 1516-1526.