By
Janice Nichols, The Louis de la Plarte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
David Speer, The Louis de la Plarte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Betty Watson, The Louis de la Plarte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Mary Watson, The Louis de la Plarte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Tiffany Vergon, The Louis de la Plarte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Colette Vallee, Margaret Lynn Duggar & Associates
Joan Meah, The Louis de la Plarte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Description
In 1998, approximately 30 million people worldwide were living with HIV/AIDS, about 5 million of whom became infected that year. The epidemic
continues to expand, with an estimated doubling time of 10 years, making AIDS the leading infectious cause of death ahead of tuberculosis
and malaria. Even in the U.S.A. where the death rate from AIDS is declining as a result of effective drug therapies, HIV infection rates
continue to climb in several population groups. The prevalence of AIDS among people over the age of 50 is steadily increasing, and most
older people are unprepared to address it for a number of reasons, including the widespread discomfort with matters sexual and homosexual
and the belief that elderly people are not sexually active and therefore not at risk.
This guide for care providers seeks to educate
and inform readers about the difficulties and complications that accompany the disease in older people. Thus, while the appendix includes
technical descriptions of methodology, data, and results, the narratives in the chapters describing the findings and their practical
implications are written in layman's language. Topics covered include biomedical aspects, demographics, sexuality, stressors, mental
health, older women, and patient care, all of which are supported by case studies.
Audience:
AIDS care providers, such as primary care givers, social workers, case managers, nurses, physicians, home health workers, clergy, counselors,
and paraprofessionals; members of the general public such as the AARP and other groups focused on aging issues.
