“HIV + Aging: What’s New II,” an LGBTEI Conversation, was presented on December 11, 2013. Over 50 consumers and healthcare and social service professionals attended the educational forum.
The HIV infected population is aging. It is estimated that in a little over one year, the majority of people infected with HIV in the U.S. will be over 50 years of age. Approximately 15% of new HIV infections occur in people over 50. As the population ages, new issues arise in care and treatment. Long-term survivors face side effects from use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), as well as from the long-term effects of HIV infection itself. “HIV + Aging: What’s New II” addressed these issues, outlined the current epidemiology of the virus and served to inform attendees about the physical manifestations and their treatments. Emotional health issues of isolation, depression and anxiety were discussed during the forum. The basics of nutrition and food safety were also reviewed.
photo by Bill Gregot
Program presenters were (pictured at right l-r) Ian Frank, MD, of the Clinical-Therapeutics Program of the Penn Center for AIDS Research; Baligh Yehia, MD, of the Penn Medicine Program for LGBT Health; John Lutz, ATR, BC-LPC, of Mazzoni Center; Veronica Bersani and John Del Rossi, PA, of Rossi Wellness Center.
This program was made possible by the support of the City of Philadelphia’s AIDS Activities Coordinating Office (AACO), Delaware Valley Legacy Fund (DVLF) and Philadelphia Gay News (PGN).
Watch the full program in our video library! Improving Care, Longevity of Elder HIV Positive Population, Physical Manifestations of HIV with the Aging Process
RESOURCES
Scroll down for additional resources on NUTRITION
How HIV affects aging
On HIV & Aging:
http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/616
How HIV affects aging:
http://www.thebody.com/content/art54795.html#hiv GOOD
Exercise Guidelines Published for People with HIV Over 50:
http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_exercise_aging_1667_20989.shtml
Menopause and HIV:
http://www.thewellproject.org/hiv-information/menopause-and-hiv
HIV and diabetes:
http://www.thewellproject.org/en_US/Diseases_and_Conditions/Other_Diseases_and_Conditions/Diabetes.jsp
How can I get health insurance if I am HIV positive?
Ryan White Care Act:
http://hab.hrsa.gov/gethelp/index.html
Affordable Care Act:
http://aids.gov/federal-resources/policies/health-care-reform/
Body issues
Touches on all the issues around lipodystrophy treatment:
http://www.thebody.com/content/art14262.html
The Skinny on Body Fat and HIV:
http://www.thebody.com/content/art53553.html
Can I do anything to get rid of my buffalo hump?
http://www.medibolics.com/lipodystrophy.htm
http://www.thebody.com/h/how-do-you-get-rid-of-buffalo-hump.html
(It is always wise to proceed with caution with this sort of forums.)
Prevention
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP):
http://www.avert.org/pep-prep-hiv.htm
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep):
http://www.avert.org/pre-exposure-prophylaxis.htm
HIV treatment issues
Adherence:
http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/405
Drug resistance:
http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/126
Websites for general information
Special thanks to the staff of The AIDS Library of Philadelphia for their assistance with the preparation of this information.
NUTRITION
The following online resources provide information, guidelines, and tools for providers and patients in managing issues related to nutrition and HIV:
- 2000 CDC Growth Charts: United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics
- CheapCooking.com. Website with recipes using low-cost ingredients and tips for frugal meal planning.
- ChooseMyPlate.gov U.S. Department of Agriculture website with dietary guidelines, tips, resources, and consumer-oriented information.
- Health Care and HIV: Nutritional Guide for Providers and Clients Manual from HRSA.
- Nutrition and Food Safety
- Nutrition.gov
- Tufts University Nutrition and Infection Unit
FOOD SAFETY
Food Safety for People with HIV/AIDS (PDF – 2.46MB)
A need-to-know guide for those who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Food Safety and Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
September 2006; Slightly revised September 2011
Special thanks to Veronica Bersania for the preparation of the Nutrition and Food Safety resources listed here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics http://www.eatright.org/
- USDA: Foods List https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list
- 5 Keys to Healthy Cooking http://blog.kanetix.ca/5-keys-to-healthy-cooking/
- Food Safety News from the Experts http://blog.zintro.com/food/