Challenges of AIDS and ageing

The aged care sector should start preparing now for an increase in the number of clients with HIV and AIDS, according to the WA AIDS Council.

Improved treatment methods mean that people with AIDS are living longer and are going to need aged care services in greater numbers.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Trish Langdon said older people who are HIV positive will bring a new range of health issues to the sector.

“Aged care staff are going to need training in standard precautions against blood-borne viruses and there will also be issues with medication management,” said Ms Langdon.

“People with HIV or AIDS will have a different regime of drugs on top of those which are often prescribed to elderly people, and there is not much understanding of the interactions between the drugs given to older people and HIV medications.”

Ms Landgon also said facilities need to consider how they will adapt to meet the social and cultural needs of gay men and women.

“It would be a good idea to have some dialogue between the aged care industry and organisations representing people who are HIV positive,” she said.

“And it is probably better to hold those talks now rather than wait until there is a crisis.”