Social representations of individuals over 50 years old living with HIV

to analyze social representations of individuals over 50 years old living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

qualitative study, interviewing 13 individuals living with HIV, attending by a care assistance facility specialized in infectious diseases. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which later were analyzed by dialectical hermeneutics, by applying the Social Representations Theory.

after significant reports a few empirical categories emerged: the moment when the diagnosis was disclosed and their feelings afterwards, social representation on aging with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and redefining life. Final considerations: the study proved the reality of discrimination against aging people infected with HIV in social interactions as a whole, which requires changes in society's perceptions of this subject, the HIV-positive people themselves and the health system, making possible the emancipation of the individual living with HIV while aging and having quality of life.