HIV and “EARLY ONSET” AGING?
More than a quarter of a million Americans who are living with HIV are
now older than 50 according to the CDC. In less than 10 years, that
number will double.
An article in this week’s Los Angeles Times (LAT Feb 5, 2008) presents a look into the life of two men, Dennis and Larry, who have lived with HIV since 1988 and who demonstrate the new “color” of HIV.
Gray.
Drug cocktails halted the explosion of deaths in the early years of HIV/AIDS. But the life-saving medications also introduced new issues into the lives of those living with the virus.
Individuals in their 60s are experiencing symptoms of aging you’d expect to find in people their parents’ age – particularly depression. And a sense of invisibility and isolation. These are common issues faced by seniors in our country.
The writer lauds Desert AIDS Project which serves Palm Springs and the surrounding community in Riverside County for the combination of medical and social services s they provide to their aging population, who like many seniors, face the with a growing sense of invisibility and isolation.
Desert AIDS Project demonstrates what those of us who work with seniors and their families advocate for tirelessly.
A team approach to dealing with the issues of illness and aging.
- Comprehensive Services.
- Case Management.
- A network of integrated resources so that each new development in life can be anticipated and addressed in the least upsetting way.
Really, isn’t that what we all want?
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