December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, and according to the National Institute on Aging, older adults count for almost half of those in the U.S. living with this condition. Although some older adults may have been living with HIV/AIDS since they were younger, others have been newly diagnosed.
Whichever the case, hundreds of advocacy organizations across the country are working to offer educational and support services for those living with HIV/AIDS—including several that offer specialized support for older adults:
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
“It is clear that more needs to be done to inform people and aging network providers about the importance of educating older Americans about HIV prevention and testing. … Across the country, [ACL] grantees work to implement programs that positively impact the well-being of older adults in their communities, including both directly and indirectly assisting populations of older adults living with HIV.”
SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders
“HIV disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ+ community, and the number of LGBTQ+ older adults with HIV is increasing. Thirty years ago, the idea that someone with HIV would live decades was unimaginable. Now, people with HIV are living well into their golden years. … Services for All is a campaign launched by SAGE to ensure that LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive older people nationwide are able to access welcoming aging services and support regardless of where they live.”
HIV-Elders (HIVE)
“HIVE (HIV-Elders) [is] tailored for men who have sex with men of all ethnicities who are 50 years of age and older and living with HIV. HIVE is designed to improve the health and well-being of this growing population of men by addressing stigma, social isolation, social support, connection and empowerment.”
AIDS United
“We’ve seen firsthand how the intersectionality of social injustice, discrimination and health care disparity impacts those living with HIV, and we believe alleviating this struggle is a pivotal step toward our national well-being. … AIDS United, and the partner organizations that make up its Public Policy Council, also saw … recognition of the need for more focused policy and advocacy on HIV and aging and on the urgent needs and concerns of older adults living with HIV. Acting on these recognitions, AIDS United initiated its HIV & Aging project.”
Rainbow Health
“We help people navigate health care systems by breaking down barriers, particularly LGBTQ+ people and those affected by HIV. We offer unique and specialized mental and chemical health services by and for the communities we serve. Our care is trauma-informed, harm-reduction-based, sex-positive and meets people where they are. We turn no one away for inability to pay.”
Older Women Embracing Life (OWEL)
“Most of the women who are members of OWEL have been living with HIV for more than 15 years and are over the age of 50. Our members are representative of our target population: urban and suburban residents of Baltimore, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. Our Board of Directors is comprised of health care service providers, planners, social entrepreneurs, clergy and other representatives of faith-oriented organizations, community educators and health advocates, and academicians.”
The Gerontological Society of America
“Promotes research, policy, practice and advocacy to address the health and psychosocial needs of a diverse and growing population of adults aging with HIV and AIDS.”
Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC)
“Adults aged 50 years and older now represent the largest group of people living with HIV/AIDS. This group includes long-term survivors (LTS) who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS before the advent of antiretroviral therapy in 1996. … GMHC has developed an array of nationally recognized services to support the psychosocial and educational needs of adults aged 50 years and older and LTS. In addition, our National Resource Center on HIV & Aging conducts groundbreaking research on issues associated with aging with HIV/AIDS.”