More than 11% of people over the age of 55 are now living with AIDS. Many of these individuals are psychologically abused by loved ones because of the HIV AIDS stigma.
Wonderful efforts have been made in educating the younger population about the seriousness of HIV/AIDS in society. Those in their mature years are less likely to talk to their doctors about their sex lives or drug use. Studies show that both men and women over the age of 50 are not using condoms at the same rate as the young adults.
Is HIV/AIDS Different for Older Adults?
The number of older adults with HIV AIDS is on the rise. Today there are about 75,000 Americans over fifty years of age living with AIDS. There may be many more older adults than reported because those who are sexually active, don't think of HIV testing.
Doctors tend not to ask older patients about sex or drug use. There's more difficulties for doctors recognizing symptoms of HIV/AIDS in older people. Often the aches and pains experienced are shrugged off as normal aging so the thought of HIV/AIDS doesn't even occur. There is embarrassment, shame and fear about being tested for HIV/AIDS because many people in society still believe this is strictly a disease that's associated with promiscuous sexual activity, being gay or using drugs that require syringes.
HIV/AIDS affects older people in another way. Younger people with this illness turn to their parents and grandparents for financial support and medical care requirements. Many older adults do not have health care benefits and no one to help them as the illness progresses.
Physical and Social Factors
Although the majority of older adults don't participate in behaviors that increase the risk of contracting HIV, many do. Physical and social factors that add to the risk include:
Menopausal and post menopausal women may have vaginal dryness which can lead to cracks.
Many think condoms are just for pregnancy prevention which is no longer a concern.
Divorced or widowed adults new to the single scene may be naïve to the risks of unprotected sex.
Lonely adults may seek out promiscuous mates or prostitutes.
Emotional Abuse
Some older adults have disclosed to their families and closest friends thinking they would get support and instead were viciously judged and verbally abused. Some individuals have even experienced a change of dynamics within their family.
Many older people who have HIV/AIDS live in isolation because they are afraid to tell family and friends about their illness. Older adults have more severe depression than younger people and they are less likely to join support groups. Older people with HIV/AIDS need help coping both emotionally and physically with the disease. As the infection progresses, they will need help getting around and caring for themselves. Older people with AIDS need support and understanding from their family, friends, and community, not ridicule and verbal abuse.
Over 50 and Feeling Ill?
Many people don't have any symptoms when they are first infected with HIV. It may be a few weeks for minor flu-like symptoms to show up or as long as 10 years or more for serious symptoms. Symptoms of HIV may be:
headaches
chronic cough
diarrhea
swollen glands
loss of appetite, energy and weight loss
frequent fevers and sweats
frequent yeast infections
sores on certain parts of the body
short term memory loss
skin rashes
At Risk and HIV Prevention
Anyone, regardless of age, is at risk if there is sexual activity without the use of a condom. The virus passes from an infected person to another through the exchange of body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluid. If performing oral sex, women should protect themselves by ensuring a condom is used and for men performing oral sex on women, use a dental dam. HIV can get into the body during sex through any opening such as a tear or cut in the lining of the vagina,vulva, penis, rectum or mouth.
Help
If there is a suspicion of HIV/AIDS get tested. Early treatment improves the odds of living with this disease. Call your doctor. Always remember that there is always a wealth of Canadian and American resources online to help find support and help.
The copyright of the article HIV and Emotional Abuse Older Adults Experience in Emotional/Verbal Abuse is owned by Karen Stephenson. Permission to republish HIV and Emotional Abuse Older Adults Experience in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Thank you for this important message. HIV disease is also different for
older adults due to comorbid conditions (multiple diseases) that may be
associated with aging itself or could be a biproduct of HIV or
antiretroviral therapy. Older adults should also know that anonymous and
confidential HIV testing sites exist in most communities should they not
feel comfortable asking their primary care physician for a test due to the
fear of stigma. The National Association on HIV Over Fifty (NAHOF) is
another research specific to those 50+.
Charles Emlet, Ph.D.
Jan 12, 2009 7:04 AM
Guest :
How true, we never think about the 60's and 70's generation....they do have
to take this matter serious.
Jan 13, 2009 7:40 AM
Guest :
Eye opening article and very informative. Thanks!
Jan 19, 2009 1:14 AM
Guest :
AIDS: Dark in Life
-Mohammad Khairul Alam- -Executive
Director- -Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation- -24/3 M. C.
Roy Lane- -Dhaka-1211, Bangladesh- -Email:
rainbowngo@gmail.com- -Web: www.newsletter.com.bd -Tell:
880-2-8628908- -Mobile: 88-01711344997-
The Asian
HIV/AIDS epidemic is highly dynamic. Though, in the early 1980s when the
HIV/AIDS epidemic was becoming significant in the Western Hemisphere and
Africa, only a few cases of HIV infection were reported in Asia. The risky
behaviour and vulnerability, which promote, fuel and facilitate the rapid
transmission of HIV, are present in virtually all countries of the Asian
region. Thus, the potential for its further spread is significant. Based on
evidence from various causes, behaviours that produce the highest risk of
infection in this region are unprotected sex (both heterosexual and
homosexual) and needle sharing among intravenous drug users (IDUs).
However, the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Asia took a new turn in the 1990s. It is
spreading faster in parts of Asia than in other regions of the world. Some
have predicted that the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this region
in the twenty-first century could be much worse.
Trafficking in
young girls, children and women is a matter of great concern all over the
world. In South Asia, cross-border trafficking, sourcing, transit to
destination is a big problem. Even more prevalent is the movement of
persons within the countries for exploitation in various forms. There are
no definite figures about the number of victims.
Trafficking
for commercial sexual exploitation is the most virulent form in South Asia.
Internal displacement due to conflict in some of these countries, poverty
and lack of employment opportunities, increase the vulnerabilities to being
trafficked.
AIDS researcher Mr. Anirudha Alam said,
"Trafficking & HIV/AIDS is interrelated, especially women and
girls are trafficking for use of sexual industry. Most of trafficking girls
would face several physical & sexual abuses. When a girl or women newly
enrolls a sex industry, she tries to safe herself heard & soul, but
most of the time they couldn't free her."
Though
this data is not enough to certify the fact, still South Asia is home to
one of the largest concentrations of people living with HIV. Female sex
workers (FSWs) - as a group - are an important driver of the epidemic. As
has been shown in a very recent research involving repatriated FSWs in
Nepal,
Feb 19, 2009 5:38 PM
Guest :
THE CURE for HIV/AIDS.......AMBUSH
THE IDEA that AMBUSH
cures AIDS is being proven by the more than 400 individuals who have
taken a dose of 60 ml three times daily for 21 days. The result is that
AMBUSH 'KILLS' the virus by causing the protein envelope to rupture and the
viral particles are discarded by the white blood cells. AMBUSH is able to
'KILL' the virus that are 'hiding' in the lymph system by its 'natural
radioactive' properties. This process allows the body to 'return to normal
health' with a corresponding immunity to that or those strains of the
virus.
What is AMBUSH ? AMBUSH is a radioactive isotope of
uranium that is found in the 'palm' plant of which there are more than 3000
species. When ingested, AMBUSH causes the body temperature in the trunk
area to rise to about 102 degrees when the individual is sleeping. The
preparation takes four hours per batch, which is then given to the
individuals for consumption 60 ml three times daily for 21 days. AMBUSH is
a herbal preparation in this form but it contains an active ingredient
which is a 'NEW' crystalline substance, a drug from the 'palm plant'
similarly to ASPIRIN originating from the willow tree bark
apostleshadamishe@gmail.com
Here is a video taped presentation
that I gave at t he Martin Luther King library in Washington
Jan 10, 2009
