With the success of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment, more people with HIV are living longer. Yet, aging with HIV presents unique challenges and considerations compared to the general aging population.
“Caring for people living with HIV often involves discussing subjects like stigma, sex, drug use, mental health, poverty, and racism,” said Keith Henry, MD, professor of medicine and founder of the first HIV clinic in Minnesota. “Additionally, it's important for health care professionals to understand both how aging impacts people with HIV and how HIV can influence the aging process.”
Working with the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (MN-GWEP), Henry co-authored MN-GWEP’s recently launched HIV & Aging toolkit which includes a free online interactive module for health professional students to learn how to provide the highest quality care for older adults with HIV.
“Health professionals play a crucial role in the care, treatment, and support of people living with HIV. It's important for them to know about antiretroviral therapy, the risk of older persons acquiring HIV, how the HIV infection changes the course of aging, and how aging increases health problems. By understanding these factors, health care providers and individuals with HIV can work together to create tailored care plans that address both the challenges of HIV and the needs of older adults,” said Henry.
With decades of experience developing improved HIV regimens, Henry says providing care to people with HIV needs to include a team-based approach, communication to and from the patient's care team, uninterrupted care, and more.
“Unfortunately, we've seen people living with HIV drop out of care due to the extreme complexity and unfriendliness of the U.S. health care system,” said Henry. “That's why it's imperative that we train our health care professionals on the important factors for creating a healthy environment for those living with HIV as they age.”
MN GWEP’s Rajean Moone, PhD, LNHA, says as people living with HIV live longer, healthier lives, it's critical for clinicians to understand their unique needs.
“This free, online toolkit helps educators infuse content on HIV and aging into their existing health related courses. It was developed in partnership with Rainbow Health Minnesota, an organization with over 40 years of experience advocating for and working with people living with HIV," said Moone, who is the faculty director for Long Term Care Administration in the College of Continuing & Professional Studies, and associate director of policy in the School of Public Health’s Center for Healthy Aging & Innovation.
In addition to Henry, co-authors of the HIV & Aging toolkit include Phil Duran, JD, director of Advocacy & Community Engagement at Rainbow Health and a Minnesota attorney whose work has focused on LGBTQ- and HIV-related issues; and Rik Kutcher, who is an HIV and Aging Services Advocate with Rainbow Health.
About the Minnesota Northstar GWEP
The purpose of the Minnesota Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program is to improve the health and health care of older adults across Minnesota. It is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the primary federal agency for improving health care for people who are geographically isolated and economically or medically vulnerable. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government. The Minnesota Northstar GWEP is also supported by the Otto Bremer Trust, the University of Minnesota Medical School, and the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs.
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