HIV/AIDS and the Older Adult: An Exploratory Study of the Age-Related Differences in Access to Medical and Social Services

Abstract

This exploratory study investigated the experiences that older adults infected with HIV/AIDS had accessing medical and social services, and compared their experiences to those of younger infected adults. Thirty-four individuals between ages 30 and 65 were interviewed, and data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study found that overall, older adults aged 50-plus were able to access the medical and social services they needed to cope with being infected. Most study participants reported positive experiences with accessing medical services. Like younger adults, older adults accessed a variety of medical services and organizations, although to a slightly lesser degree. Older adults also accessed a variety of social and emotional supports and social organizations to a similar or greater degree than younger adults. The older adults’ positive and directive attitude, knowledge of the disease, and available supports, in addition to living in the gay community, explain their ability to access services.