Paper
Thursday, 20 July 2006
This presentation is part of : Evidence-Based Nursing and Public Policy: Issues Identified
HIV Among the Elderly: Screening, Education and Support
Sharon Wallace Stark, DNSc, RN, CS, APN-C, Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ, USA
Learning Objective #1: Describe one reason why HIV is not recognized among the elderly.
Learning Objective #2: Identify two methods to educate elders about HIV risks.
It is a tragic misconception among the general public and health care professionals alike, that adults older than 50 years of age are generally not high risk candidates for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS. This misconception stems from the belief that older adults are not sexually active and do not participate in risky behaviors that facilitate their development. Educational programs geared toward youth and high risk groups do not consider the needs of older adults. Health care providers must acknowledge that older adults are as at risk for acquiring HIV/AIDS as younger adults.  Screening for high risk behaviors should be a routine part of every health care visit.  Early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS is a means to begin treatment earlier and prevent AIDS related complications, morbidity and mortality. Older Adult HIV/AIDS educational programs must be developed to identify how HIV/AIDS is transmitted, how the disease progresses, and provide information about risk reduction and HIV/AIDS prevention, so that adults have the means to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Health care providers need education about high risk behaviors among older adults, become skilled at identifying symptoms of HIV/AIDS, and stay vigilant about screening for HIV/AIDS in older adults. Additionally, Research needs to be done that includes older adults’ high risk behaviors, HIV/AIDS progression and treatment modalities, and outcomes of education and awareness programs on changing high risk behaviors and decreasing HIV infection.

See more of Evidence-Based Nursing and Public Policy: Issues Identified
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)