Networks of older New Yorkers with HIV: fragility, resilience, and transformation

To better understand how HIV-infected older persons receive and perceive social support, the perceptions and experiences of 34 older HIV-positive persons in New York City were explored in July and August 2005 through five focus groups. The participants' network members tended to be HIV positive and the presence of so many people with HIV in their networks tended to be serendipitous. The advantages of having a HIV-positive network include being members of a caring community that provides safety, support, mentors, and inspiration, while the disadvantage is shrinkage of the network due to illness and death. These participants demonstrated that living with HIV changes one's network because people die of HIV; new friends are made when one seeks services; and HIV-positive networks replace those lost through stigma and rejection. Social service providers and policy makers in the HIV and aging networks should expand their view of "family" and not make assumptions about the networks for older persons living with HIV. Networks expand and shrink at different times and are resilient and fragile at the same time.