Growing Older With HIV
About Growing Older With HIV
Whether you’ve been living with HIV for a long time, or perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with HIV later in your life, these days you can look forward living a long and fabulous life well into the future.
As everyone ages, life takes it toll, and when living with HIV, things aren’t much different. To live the fabulous life that you deserve takes a little more work when living with HIV.
Being pro-active, and doing things such as quitting smoking, eating healthily, getting enough sleep and maintaining a regular exercise routine can go a long way to improve or prevent other health conditions emerging. Your doctor will also monitor your health, including age, and provide the relevant and appropriate additional treatment where needed.
It is worth mentioning that the longer a person lives with HIV – like any chronic illness – there is a greater potential that some health conditions as a result of HIV, can occur at a higher prevalence and earlier age. These include:
- Cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Chronic neurological complications, also described as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND)
- Several types of cancer, especially those associated with chronic viral infections
- Osteoporosis and fractures
- Depression & anxiety
- Chronic renal disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
QPP can assist with aspects of your life to help you live and age well with HIV. If social connection is what you are after, then QPP also has a monthly social group for people of advanced age. For the latest updates and a calendar of what’s on, head to our events page.
Additionally, there are a number of HIV ageing information resources available below..
Aged Care Navigation
Our aged care navigator program provides support to vulnerable older people who have significant difficulty navigating My Aged Care.
Complementary Therapies
Together with HIV medications, complementary therapies may assist in increasing overall health.
Mature Age & Long Term Survivors Group
Held monthly, the long term survivors social group is a great place to meet others living with HIV and share stories and make friends.
Menopause
Menopause is a natural part of the ageing process, when a persons ovaries stops working, and menstruation ends.
Our trained team is here to help you should you have any questions or need support. You can call for free from a Queensland land-line on 1800 636 241 or call (07) 3013 5555 (national). You can also email us or use the contact form or the chat function in the corner of our website.
