HIV prevalence in older adults

The "overlooked epidemic," "silent risk group" and "forgotten population" are phrases used when referring to HIV/AIDS and the population group aged 50 and older Health Canada reports that almost 12 per cent of the positive HIV test reports in Canada since the epidemic began are among those 50 and older. Despite the availability of this information, older adults (and those who care for their health) are often not aware of the risk in this group. Older adults are often stereotyped as asexual beings and health-care providers frequently omit a sexual history as part of their assessments. Symptoms of AIDS such as fatigue and memory loss can be dismissed as part of the normal aging process and this may lead to the fact that older people frequently present with AIDS at the same time they are diagnosed with HIV. Research, prevention and education programs are typically geared toward younger adults. Multiple intervention programming must be designed and implemented specifically for older adults in order to reduce HIV transmission in this group. The nursing community is in a strategic position to intervene. The authors discuss various strategies for action.