On 31 March – 3 April the program director of NGO “Gay-alliance” Roman Marchenko took part at the International Conference «Aging with HIV», which was held in Berlin, was organized by the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG). In the event was attended by public activists, medical professionals, researchers and other experts in the field of HIV/AIDS from all over Europe and some other countries.
The problem of aging with HIV is becoming more urgent around the world, including in Ukraine, but, unfortunately, in our country there are no specialized programs for work with HIV-positive patients of older age (50+) among the most vulnerable groups, including MSM and transgender people. And this: an additional stigma (HIV-status, sexual orientation / gender identity, age), problems with mental and physical health, loneliness. Healthy lifestyle and social activity are key factors the quality of life the older age people living with HIV.
It is necessary to prepare the medical staff and social workers for work with aging of patients with HIV, including for the provision of palliative care. It is necessary to develop and implement prevention strategies focused on specific characteristics of elderly. Residential issues and social provision is also an important aspect the quality of life for elderly patients with HIV that need to decide.
The participants agreed that was made insufficient number of studies concerning of aging with HIV and that it is necessary to develop and implement specific programs for people in the category 50+ living with HIV and persons from key groups of older agethat significantly increase the quality and duration of their life.
