The chapter presents a case study of an individual infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).. It illustrates a number of issues that have been raised while working with older people living with HIV disease (PLWHIV). It states that postdiagnosis, many older people are too often found forced to live their lives in a manner that differs greatly from the way they had planned—their reality often falls far short of the dreams toward which they worked throughout their careers. People who are considered to be middle-aged are often at the greatest risk of economic hardship after an HIV diagnosis. In the ≥ 40 age groups, which capture the age range of 45 and older, AIDS cases have increased steadily from 30.9% of the total cases diagnosed between 1981 and 1987 to 41.8% of the total cases diagnosed between 1996 and 2000. The increasing incidence and prevalence of HIV/AIDS among older people are likely to continue into the future because of a number of factors. HIV disease in older adults mostly stems from sexual behavior and this aspect of their lives needs to be addressed with older adults if further transmission of the virus is to be halted.
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Copyright © 2002 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.