Gaps in health and social care services to older adults living with HIV: a qualitative study on the perspectives of older adults and service providers

The aging of people living with HIV (PLHIV), along with the rise in new HIV infections in people aged 50 and over, has attracted an increasing amount of interest among researchers and practitioners. Within both research and practice, PLHIV have been identified as an « aging » cohort beginning at the age of 50, due to the reality of premature aging and comorbidity associated with living with HIV.1 Medical research on the accelerated aging of PLHIV and the multiple comorbidities associated with HIV and aging has shed light on the significant health needs of this population.2‒4 Social science research has also revealed the many psychosocial difficulties experienced by older adults living with HIV (OAHIV).5‒9 Older adults living with HIV (OAHIV) are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems,4,10,11 isolation,5,12 and HIV and age-related stigma1.8,12,13 In addition, OAHIV often find themselves confronted by a lack of emotional and instrumental support from the community due to distance from family and the absence of intimate partners.15,16 This lack of informal support results in a situation whereby OAHIV may be required to seek support from formal resources.2,4,16,17