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Older People and HIV AIDS
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Africa
Zimbabwe: Anna Matopodza, "When I Tell People I am a Grandmother, They Do Not Believe Me" (November 3, 2009)
When Anna Matopodza, 55, from a village in the Buhera district of Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, found out she was HIV-positive, she worried about who would look after her five children when she died. The thought of death haunted her for months. Then she joined a dance group and traveled around the world, teaching people about HIV/AIDS, through song and dance.
Mozambique: Quiet Progress Against HIV/AIDS (October 31, 2009)
When Dorothy Kakongwe smiles, her creases tell stories no history book can recount. This elderly nurse can reflect on numerous changes in the landscape and people around her. "During the war, everyone was living in the bush," she said. "It was very hard. The sick people would have to come to where we were hiding. Women would give birth in the bush." With limited understanding of and education on health, many illnesses went undiagnosed and untreated, including AIDS.
Botswana: More Elderly People Getting Infected with HIV (June 17, 2009)
A Botswana Aids Impact Survey (BAIS) study released this year shows that an increasing number of older people are getting infected, whereas in the past, figures showed youth as the most infected. In past years, campaigns and strategies for preventing HIV focused on youth, expected to be more sexually active. In the process, there was little attention given to HIV prevention for the middle aged and elderly.
Africa: Ageing in Africa (May 2009)
This HelpAge International analysis examines the dilemma of HIV/AIDS among older Africans and its impact on others. Read about the Memory Book and Will project which helps those dying with HIV/AIDS to communicate their history and their will to their family.
Tanzania: Grandmas Helping a World Away (April 11, 2009)
Growing old can be challenging for Tanzania’s older citizens. The advent of HIV has been particularly challenging. While relatively few senior citizens are infected, many watch their adult children die of the virus and have been left to raise their grandchildren. This situation can prove very difficult due to the lack of social services, compounded by the burden of their own failing health.
Africa: International Women’s Day: Older Care Addresses UN (March 6, 2009)
Kufekise Laugrey, an older woman from Zambia, shared her experience of caring for several family members living with HIV at an event co-sponsored by HelpAge International, held in advance of International Women's Day. She spoke about the impact that caring for her family members has had on her. She described how older people provide HIV-related care but remain largely invisible in the response to the disease.
Kenya:
Grandparents Struggle to Keep Teens in Line (January 29, 2009)
In Kenya, there are approximately 1.2 million children who have been
orphaned by AIDS, HelpAge Kenya reports that 89% of the children are cared
for by their grandparents. These older people are usually too poor to
provide for all the needs of the orphans. The children, in turn,
especially young girls, are increasingly turning to prostitution to meet
their economic needs.
Report: Africa: Mind The Gap: HIV and AIDS and Older
Persons in Africa (December 2008)
In 2006, UNAIDS stated that a substantial proportion of people living with HIV and AIDS are 50 years and older and estimated that 2.8 million people aged 50 and over were living with HIV. Nevertheless, HIV programs often discriminate against older people because many health and relief workers think that older people are no longer sexually active and therefore not at risk of HIV. However, older persons are very much at risk.
This report sets out the need to strengthen the response to HIV in Africa by providing interventions on the basis of need rather than age. It highlights the way that older people can be infected with HIV and the vital support that many offer to their children and grandchildren.
Malawi: Trying to Alleviate the Burden of the Old (November 14, 2008)
A recent government report, "Social Protection and Ageing in Malawi," states that Malawi's older population is receiving less care and support from their children and communities. Extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic put pressure on the nation's seniors, who have to raise their orphaned grandchildren and survive on less than US $1 a day. In 2008, the government set up a cash transfer scheme to alleviate the burden of the old in the country’s poorest households. About 12,000 families received social cash transfers by the end of March 2008. Malawi is still in need of a comprehensive social protection program to help make seniors' income secure.
Cameroon: Helping Hand for Cameroon's Lonely Elderly (September 30, 2008)
HIV/AIDS rates in Cameroon are devastating, leaving most older persons with no children to look after them in their old age. This article presents inspirational stories of how elderly women responded to critical demands made upon them in these difficult situations. Written by an officer working with Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance, the group organizes meetings for older persons that help develop a sense of community to deal with family crises. “When we sit together and talk we can forget our pains,” says Teresa Tung, whose four children died from AIDS in one year, leaving her to bring up her grandchildren on her own.
Ethiopia: Older People Missing Out on HIV/AIDS Indicators (September 18, 2008)
“Older people miss out on HIV/AIDS indicators because of widely held misconceptions about their sexuality and other misleading statistical computations”, said Lizzie Nkosi, HelpAge International Ethiopia Program Director. Older people are at high risk of HIV/AIDS infection since public health campaigns are targeted at the young population. How can old people benefit from the information available on how to protect against HIV/AIDS?
Tanzania: NGO Asks for Government Assistance to Elderly HIV/Aids Caretakers (August 30, 2008)
The article reports on efforts by HelpAge International to urge the government of Tanzania to allocate funds to support elderly caretakers of orphans whose parents have died of HIV/Aids. Douglas Lackey, manager at HelpAge International Africa Regional Development Centre, has called on the government to officially recognize the role of older persons as care givers, particularly women. UNICEF research found that grandparents, particularly grandmothers, cared for around 40 per cent of all orphans in Tanzania. The article also notes the lack of education on issues of HIV/Aids for older persons. As a result, HIV among older age groups has largely gone undetected and unreported.
Uganda: Old and Neglected (August 20, 2008)
“I fear that when I die, it is only the terrible smell that will alert the community,” says Imelda Nampiima of Mityana, an old woman living in Uganda. According to the newly published study on the elderly in Uganda, over a million older people lack food, money, clean water and health services, and have no family support due to the AIDS/HIV epidemic in the country.
Mozambique: Living with HIV and an Empty Stomach (August 11, 2008)
Ana Costa has dropped out of the Antiretroviral (ARV) drug program provided by Medecins Sans Frontieres because she lacks food. ARVs are strong medicines that require nourishment along with the medication. She complains of nausea and weakness as a result of taking the drugs with an empty stomach. Unfortunately, for many Mozambicans food remains unaffordable. Many are unable to go to work because of physical weakness, and without income they are unable to buy food. They are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Programs that provide food support for six-month periods are available, but are unable to reach everyone who needs help.
Kenya: In Kenya, HIV Orphans and Grandparents Live in Special Village (August 6, 2008)
In the Kitui District of eastern Kenya, children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and grandparents who have lost their sons and daughters to HIV/AIDS live together in a special village. “These are two lost generations, because the grandparents have been left behind by their children, and the children have been left behind by their parents. So there is a need to reach out to these grandparents,” says Sister Mary Owens, co-founder of Nyumbani Village. The village also provides accessible education and medical services--“a dream come true” for its inhabitants.
Malawi: Senior Citizens to Get Social Security (July 1, 2008)
The Malawi government plans to start a pension scheme for older persons. This will ensure that they will have access to basic necessities. The government also held a consultative conference in Blantyre to draft the National Policy for Elderly Persons. The policy is expected to protect the human rights of the elderly and help alleviate problems such as the HIV/ AIDS epidemic. Consultative conferences will also be held in Lilongwe and Mzuzu before holding a national meeting to finalize the policy proposal for the government.
Swaziland: Tears over AIDS, Inequality in Africa (May 26, 2008)
“Grandmothers, the Heart of the Nation!” “Grandmothers and their Unpaid Work.” Over 1,500 grandmothers waved such signs as they marched along the streets in Swaziland. A delegation of 12 Canadian grandmothers supported this demonstration and others as they traveled across rural Africa to help older women fight against gender inequality and AIDS epidemic. Read this disturbing report on grandmothers losing their emotional battle in a country “where men have final say.”
Liberia: Global Aids Week 2008 Begins (May 20, 2008)
At present, AIDS continues to kill almost 6,000 people each day. More than two out of three HIV positive people still lack access to treatment. Liberia started a candlelight walk
during Global Aids Week 2008. For the last two years 30 countries have organized actions during Global AIDS Week. Global Action on Aging will keep readers posted on the United
Nation's General Assembly Special Session on AIDS and the many planned
workshops. GAA will be represented in these events.
Ethiopia: Local NGO Supporting HIV/Aids Orphans, Helpless Elders (May 12, 2008)
Global Action on Aging researchers are finding more and more articles about old people and HIV/AIDS, making it imperative that awareness of this devastating problem continues to increase. One example of a positive response is a local non-governmental agency working with children and adults in the region of Addis Ababa. Here, elders make sets of educational materials and school bags for children and provide soap to both the children and elderly. Many of the children are HIV/AIDS infected. Some have lost their parents to the disease.
Nigeria: In Nigeria, HIV/AIDS Spares Neither Older Persons nor Young People (May 3, 2008)
(Article in French)
A new article from IRIN, an information service attached to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, reveals that more than 4 million Nigerians are infected with HIV/AIDS, making it one of the top countries in the world to suffer the devastation of this pandemic. UNICEF officials said there are 1.8 million orphaned children in Nigeria whose parents have died from the disease. Grandparents often have the responsibility for providing care for their grandchildren, as well as their own adult children.
Tanzania: Lack of Education on HIV 'Endangers Old People' (May 2, 2008)
Help Age International points out that old people in Tanzania have a key role in society: They take care of their orphaned grandchildren. Because of this responsibility to raise their grandchildren, they especially need more education about the dangers of HIV and how to keep from contracting the disease.
Namibia: Elderly and HIV/AIDS in Country (May,
2 2008)
May 9 marks a national HIV Testing Day in Namibia this year as a way to mobilize people to test for HIV. Meanwhile, the number of elderly people living with HIV/AIDS is quickly increasing worldwide. It is time to acknowledge that older persons are at high infection risk and to give them not only the means to be tested but also the awareness of their own susceptibility to the disease.
South Africa: South Africa: Lucia Ngobeni: "Before, It Was Difficult for Old People to Talk About Sex" (May 2008)
This author describes the extraordinary work of Lucia Ngobeni. She paid attention to children in South Africa and founded a granny organization to help and teach children. She believed it was important that the young get information as soon as possible about HIV/AIDS. Children get infected as early as age
13 years. While it was not so easy for old people to speak about safer sex, they began to campaign due to the strong need for them to speak out.
Uganda: Older People Spreading HIV More (March 28, 2008)
With this headline one might expect a report about people of 60 years onward. However, the author, Grace Natabaalo, is reporting on “older people” in Africa where life expectancy in many countries is low. She says that affected persons, mostly married or formerly married, are contracting HIV infections due to multiple sex partners.
Report: Africa: Supporting the Vital Role Played by Older People in the Fight against the HIV and AIDS Pandemic (February 2008)
Help Age International estimates that half the elderly population in HIV/AIDS affected areas care for orphaned children or sick adult children. However, these older persons often face discrimination and don’t get appropriate resources to fight against HIV/AIDS. That is why governments and NGO’s need to involve older persons in their social protection and awareness programs.
Kenya:
Old But Not Cold: Older People Also At Risk (November 8, 2007)
Older persons are as susceptible to HIV/AIDS and
other blood-transmitted diseases as any other age groups. Help Age
International and local Kenyan advocates are challenging the
government’s National AIDS Control Council (NACC) to draw up a strategy
for dealing with HIV/AIDS among older people. A lack of HIV-positive role
models among the older generation is a possible reason the pandemic is
considered to be a ‘young people’s problem.’ Also, harmful cultural
practices such as polygamy and wife inheritance are responsible for
placing older people at increased risk of HIV. Initiatives such as
training older people in home-based care, peer education and counseling
would give the elderly easier access to HIV information.
Uganda: Ugandan Elderly are Not Well Cared For (November 8, 2007)
Uganda’s Constitution recognizes the rights and value of the elderly, and maintains that provisions be made for their welfare. A seminar organized by the Uganda Network of Aged and Retired Persons
(UNARP) focused on determining how well the state has been carrying out the constitutional provisions. The seminar revealed issues that need to be addressed: economic dependency aggravated by small social security benefits, segregation and isolation, chronic loneliness and seniors burdened with caring for children of relatives dying from HIV/AIDS. The Government as well as citizens should participate in providing more resources to elderly persons.
South Africa: Social Pensions: South African Families Coping with AIDS (August 20, 2007)
A US study from Professor Enid Schatz, University of Missouri-Columbia, showed the positive impact of “older generation's government pensions.” Many families in South Africa have to confront the death of their primary income earners because of HIV/AIDS, since the pandemic affects first the middle generation. Those social pensions, widely implemented in South Africa, help to maintain an entire household. The study gives the example of an elderly woman and her husband who support 12 people.
Sudan-Uganda: Programs Disregard HIV among the Elderly (July 27, 2007)
Worldwide around 2.8 million persons over 50 are living with HIV. However, older persons continue to be excluded from HIV/AIDS information sessions and medical check-up that could detect the virus early. HelpAge International takes the view that effectively tackling the pandemic among the elderly means acknowledging their sexuality, and recognizing their right to equal access to voluntary counseling and testing, antiretroviral treatment and targeted information.
Report: Africa: Population Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa: Demographic Dimensions 2006 (June 2007)
Although the older population in most developing countries seems relatively small compared to developed countries, poor countries will experience a rapid increase in the “absolute” number of older persons. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the numbers of older persons will raise from 35 million over 60 in 2006 to over 69 million by 2030, the sheer number of older persons grows more rapidly than in developed countries. This report looks at age groups 50-80 and focuses in particular on the effects of HIV/AIDS on population aging.
Namibia: Elderly
Couple Copes with HIV (March 30, 2007)
New Era, a Namibian newspaper, reports on an elderly couple living with
HIV/AIDS in Namibia. Since they learned about the diagnosis of their
disease, 63-year-old Vila Amand and his wife, 61-year-old Martha Costa,
go to the Kavango Bridges of Hope in Rundu every week for HIV/Aids
counseling. This article alerts readers to the fact that older persons
suffer from HIV/AIDS more commonly than many would guess. Undoubtedly
the plague of HIV/AIDS makes elderly even more vulnerable than they
would be otherwise.
Swaziland: The Elderly Have No Time to Retire (August 28, 2007)
"The elderly are rife for exploitation, and they are being exploited by a society that requires them to do demanding work, regardless of their age or infirmities." In many African countries older persons, especially older women, act as care givers of HIV/AIDS orphans, without sufficient support or recognition by humanitarian organizations or the government. "My grandchildren are fed, they are even well-fed,” by government or privately sponsored programs, says Granny Tsela. "But no one prepares meals for the elderly. I am at home with my little bit of porridge, if I am lucky enough to have that."
Kenya: Grannies Who Are Unsung Heroes in the Fight Against HIV/Aids (August 24, 2007)
According to national statistics, out of a total population of 32 million, Kenya has 2.4 million orphans, of which 1.2 million are orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Taking up the burden of the orphans’ care are mostly their grandmothers. Although most of them are “too old to do simple domestic chores,” “they have no choice but to get up and look for food, medication and shelter.” Largely ignored by the government and aid organizations, the grandmothers are slowly receiving more recognition. While the government plans programs to improve support mechanisms, a movie, “The Grandmother’s Tribe,” detailing their plight will come to the cinemas later this year.
Africa: Population Aging in Sub-Saharan Africa: Demographic Dimensions 2006 (June 2007)
Although the older population in most developing countries seems relatively small compared to developed countries, poor countries will experience a rapid increase in the “absolute” number of older persons. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the numbers of older persons will raise from 35 million over 60 in 2006 to over 69 million by 2030, the sheer number of older persons grows more rapidly than in developed countries. This report looks at age groups 50-80 and focuses in particular on the effects of HIV/AIDS on population aging.
Africa: Palliative Care in Africa (January 13, 2007)
Mary, a 7-year-old child with HIV infection, lives with her 80-year-old paraplegic grandmother in Uganda. They receive palliative care from a home-based care program. The book, “Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa,” contains plenty of such stories, presenting interviews with palliative care experts from 26 African countries showing the complexities of delivering palliative care across Africa.
Africa: Making Cash Count: Lessons from Cash Transfer Schemes in East and Southern Africa for Supporting the Most Vulnerable Children and Households (November 2005)
This study from Help Age International and Save the Children elucidates the problem of poverty among children in southern and eastern Africa and how it affects the elderly in their society. Even though Botswana and Lesotho are rich and poor countries (respectively), they both have non-contributory social pensions. Many of the adult children of the elderly have passed away because of AIDS resulting in the elderly caring for the grandchildren. Grandparents are the most common carers of orphan children even though there is extended family. Because grandparents do not have the funding to support their grandchildren, many are living in poverty. That's why this study calls for “unconditional cash transfers” to promote a ‘progressive’ social protection agenda. Social protection is important because it includes such a broad range of programs like pensions, family allowances or child benefits, school feeding programs, and health insurance. The childhood poverty problem for the present generation will also lead to poverty for the next generation unless some changes are made to interrupt the poverty cycle.
Zimbabwe:
Grandparents Shoulder the Burden of Care (September 27, 2005)
Grandparents in
Zimbabwe
, one of many African nations burdened by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, need more
help in raising their grandchildren. They are likely to rear children
orphaned by a parent's death due to HIV/AIDS. Economic strife, along with
physical limitations to produce food, has made it increasingly difficult
for grandparents to provide access to education and nourishment to
children in their care. Any increased assistance to grandparents will lead
to an improved life for orphaned children in
Zimbabwe.
Mozambique: Elderly 'Witches' Persecuted in Mozambique (July 3, 2002)
Younger people are accusing older women in Mozambique of witchcraft as they attempt to use traditional medicine to heal those infected with HIV/AIDS. The prevalence of HIV and AIDS is high in central Mozambique, where families attack elderly women, driving them away from their homes. The practice of elderly ‘healers’ to conjure up spirits to aid HIV-infected children often times coincides with the death of these untreated individuals, providing an unfounded basis for the accusations. HelpAge International has intervened to protect the accused by helping the local community understand that disease is the culprit, not the older healer. However, some people continue to deem traditional healers ‘liars’ and frauds while others have faith in their healing powers.
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Americas & Caribbean
Mexico: HIV Positive People Discriminated Against in All Areas (October 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
Beatriz Ramírez Amador, director of the department of HIV/AIDS at the Health Institute in Mexico, recognizes that Mexicans still discriminate against people with HIV/AIDS, many of whom have been abandoned by their families. The National Questionnaire on Discrimination in Mexico establishes that older persons with HIV/AIDS are among those facing the greatest discrimination. Reports reveal that the labor rights of people with HIV/AIDS are often violated as well.
Latin America: AIDS-Latin America : Older Persons Exposed to Prejudice (September 22, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
The AIDS prevention campaigns continue to consider younger people very prone to becoming infected with sexually-transmitted HIV/AIDS. However, Latin American experts now advocate for the inclusion of older persons in this group. While many reject the idea of sexual relationships in old age, some older persons lead very active sexual lives without knowing how to prevent HIV/AIDS. The number of older Latin Americans with HIV/AIDS is on the rise. For example, in Brazil, the number of women with AIDS between the ages of 60 and 69 increased by 88%, and among women 70 years and older the increase is 190%.
Bolivia: Cases of HIV/AIDS in Alto with the tendency to multiply (September 20, 2009)
(Article in Spanish)
The Regional Epidemiology Service of Alto (Bolivia) announced that between 2006 and 2008 the number of cases of HIV/AIDS increased threefold. The majority of people affected by HIV/AIDS are young people
and older persons of 67 years of age. One of the reasons for this great increase in people affected by HIV/AIDS is the decrease in use of methods for protection (condoms), due to either prejudice or the culture of “manhood.”
US: Medicare May Pay for HIV Testing (September 10, 2009)
US citizens enrolled in the Medicare health insurance program will be able to get screened for HIV under a government draft proposal to pay for the tests. About 19% of US residents with AIDS were 50 years old or older when they were diagnosed. Screening tests could help them to detect the infection sooner. Anyone would be able to get the test even if they are not considered at risk. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are now covering more preventive medical services. This initiative aims at preventing the spread of HIV/AIDs infection among older persons.
US: Seniors Warned about STDs (June 13, 2009)
Conversations about sex are still taboo among older persons, putting older adults’ health at risk. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 19% of all people with HIV/AIDS in the US are age 50 and older. The percentage could be higher since older people do not get tested regularly because menopause makes pregnancy a non-issue for sexually active older adults. However, many fail to realize that, like any other population, they are prone to STD exposure.
US: Dining Out for Life Event Thursday to Benefit HIV/AIDS Services in Grand Rapids (April 27, 2009)
“Dining Out for Life” is a one-day benefit launched 18 years ago by a volunteer for Action AIDS in Philadelphia, where restaurants donate a part of their proceeds to fighting AIDS. The fastest emerging carriers are people ages 50 and older. They account for about 10-15% of all people living with HIV/AIDS in the US. The rates of HIV/AIDS among older people are twelve times higher for blacks and five times higher for Hispanics compared to whites.
US: Midlife Patients with HIV or AIDS Require Care for Chronic Conditions (March 23, 2009)
Older people face unique challenges as they struggle to contain the disease while treating other health issues common among middle-aged persons and seniors. Over time, side effects from infections and treatment can mimic age-related illnesses. In as few as six months, HIV medications can cause metabolic disorders, including diabetes, lipid changes, elevated blood pressure and cardiac disease. Health care thus needs to reflect this extra support for older persons with
HIV/AIDS.
Canada: Older Lovers at Increasing Risk for Aids Virus: Experts (March 3, 2009)
The number of people over 50 years with the AIDS virus appears to be rising, but public health campaigns remain largely focused on the young. One reason for the increased incidence is that older people are more likely to have unprotected sex than younger people. A greater focus on the problem will lead to earlier diagnoses. The global average life expectancy after diagnosis is four years in those over 65 years, compared to 13 in people infected between the ages of 5 and 14 years old, because of waning immunity with age.
Brazil: Brazil to Target Older Women in HIV Prevention Campaign (February 20, 2009)
(Article in Russian)
HIV prevalence among women over age 50 has tripled for the past five years. A Ministry of Health survey found that while 55.3% of women over 50 are sexually active, only 28% of them use condoms. The government prevention campaign will target mature women and aims to promote safe sex. The slogan for the campaign is “Sex has no age limits. Neither does protection.”
Report: US: Theory-Based Policy Development for HIV Prevention in Racial/Ethnic Minority Midlife and Older Women (January 2009)
Despite the myth that older people do not have sex, many midlife and older women are sexually active and some are injecting drug users. In the United States, 70% of women age 50 or older living with HIV/AIDS are African American or Hispanic/Latina. All HIV/AIDS prevention programs must create programs based on gender-, age-, and culture-specific HIV prevention.
Report: US: HIV/AIDS and the
Older Persons (2009)
(Report also available in Spanish
and Arabic)
Researchers at the National Health Institute have found that persons 50 years and older represent between 11 and 15 percent of all cases of AIDS. The number of cases of AIDS, which is reported every year, continues to grow, presumably because people are living longer. What accounts for this increase in AIDS among older persons? Researchers explain that older persons are sexually active; some consume drugs. In both cases, they are do not protective themselves against practices that transmit the virus. The writers point out that the State must offer more adequate services for older persons so that they can protect themselves against the virus.
Latin America: AIDS-LATIN AMERICA: Neglect, Ageism Put Older People at Risk (December 29, 2008)
International organizations on HIV/AIDS have only been focusing on people of reproductive age for epidemiological statistics. However, sexually transmitted diseases are no respecters of age. A study suggests that 10% of HIV-positive people in Chile are older adults; this is not a very high figure, but it is gradually increasing.
Argentina: AIDS, Prejudice Exposes Older Adults (December 24, 2008)
(Article in Spanish)
Most HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns tend to be directed toward the adolescent population. However, older people need to be aware of this disease and the consequences of unsafe sex practices. Older men who receive Viagra should also receive information on safe sex practices. Older women are at high risk for contracting this virus because they believe that because of their age there is no need for a contraceptive.
US: Elderly HIV (November 18, 2008)
Over the past year the number of new HIV infections increased dramatically. The senior population is particularly affected. In Florida alone, approximately 11,899 people aged 50 years or older have AIDS or are HIV positive. In fact, that age group makes up 14% of all new cases over the past year. One of the major reasons is a lack of sex education. Moreover, most of the HIV awareness programs are focused in places where there is a low ratio of older people.
US:
The
Unseen Side of AIDS: Seniors and HIV (November 12, 2008)
The occurrence of HIV/AIDS
among homosexual and heterosexual seniors is on the rise, as new medicine
and technology extend the life expectancy of those infected with the
disease. The health considerations of HIV/AIDS patients are further
compounded by aging, which often weakens the immune system in multiple
ways.
US: Speaking Out for a Group Once Unheard-Of: Aging With AIDS (November 11, 2008)
Myron Gold, 63, remembers the day in 1993 when he was told he had six months to live because he had been diagnosed with AIDS. “When you said that in ’93, you emptied the whole emergency room. Everyone ran for their lives.” Fifteen years later, he is alive and an active advocate for people with AIDS and for stronger prevention efforts. Relying on his electric scooter to go to advocacy meetings and speaking events, Gold is proud he has outlived his initial diagnosis: “My work is what feeds me now. Call me in 10 years, I'll still be here.”
Mexico: Cases of AIDS Increase in Older Adults (October 19, 2008)
(Article in Spanish)
A few years ago, older adults ages 60 to 70 were not part of the statistics of people suffering from HIV/AIDS. However, medications such as those marketed for impotence are one reason why the number of cases has increased. The problem lies in the fact that older adults don’t use a condom when engaging in sexual intercourse and thus are prone to catch the virus. Just as teenagers are educated about the hazards of unsafe sex practices, now older adults can receive information about this growing problem as well as free medical care in some centers.
US: Florida's Elder Population Confronts Sexually Transmitted Infection (October 6, 2008)
The older population does not often think of safe sex in terms of HIV/AIDS or STD prevention. Their “definition” is preventing pregnancy only. Since they are past childbearing age, use of a condom is seen as unnecessary. Unfortunately, some older Floridians are learning too late.
Canada: Rally Supports African Grandmothers (September 7, 2008)
The article reports on rallies held as part of Canadian Grandparents Day used to raise awareness of old people affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. There are 13 million orphans whose parents died of AIDS in the sub-Sahara. Many households are led by children and elderly people. The rally co-sponsors, Grands 'n' More, have helped to raise over $4 million dollars for 15 sub-Saharan African countries to help provide for those most in need.
Brazil: HIV Risk Rises Among Older Brazilians (July 29, 2008)
"I nearly went crazy. I even tried to commit suicide," said 71-year-old Lucia, recounting the time when she discovered that she was HIV positive. She got infected through her husband, just like 75% of all infections with older women. Unfortunately, for the elderly, being diagnosed with HIV also brings emotional turmoil. Many men feel guilty for infecting their wives and feel shame as the virus exposes their extramarital affairs. "The worst thing is the sadness that we have because we feel humiliated,” said Lucia, who witnessed her husband die of AIDS.
US: Growing Older with HIV Virus Presents Special Risks as it Accelerates Effects of Aging (July 8, 2008)
The graying of the HIV positive population creates new challenges to both doctors and patients. Aging complicates the effects of the disease and medication. Scientists are unaware of the effects of antiretroviral drugs on older adults but some observers say that these drugs seem less effective in older adults. Likewise, AIDS treatments have the potential to increase one’s risk to cardiovascular diseases. Being infected with the virus also seems to increase the risk of cancer, still yet unexplained. For the aged, coping with HIV is more difficult than for the younger
population.
Report: US: Preventing HIV in Older Adults (Summer 2008)
Researchers for AIDS Community Research Initiative of America published this report to educate older adults on HIV/AIDS prevention. It points to the troubling practice—ageist behavior---among health providers and health care campaigns to fail to ask, or even consider, whether an older adult patient is at risk for HIV. It includes sections on how to protect oneself and loved ones from HIV, how to learn one’s HIV status, and how to stay informed and healthy whether one is negative or positive. Older persons are equally susceptible to HIV/AIDS as any other population group!
Report: US: HIV and Older Adults (Summer 2008)
Advances in the efficacy of anti-retroviral drugs and viral protein inhibitors has greatly increased the life-expectancy of HIV positive persons. The silvering of this stigmatized population poses new challenges in preventing the spread of the virus and providing adequate care and social support. In this publication, the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) documents the problems faced by older individual infected by the virus. The booklet covers not only health-related issues, but the problem of social stigma and long term care as well.
US: HIV Up among People Over 50 (June 28, 2008)
If an 81-year-old lady came to a hospital, no one would imagine that this woman has HIV. But older persons contract HIV/AIDS through sexual encounters. Look at Grady Hospital in Georgia: between January and March 2008, some 38 patients learned they had HIV/AIDS. Fifteen of these patients, nearly 40 percent, were over 50 years old. Older persons must protect themselves with knowledge about their health and any sexual
partner.
US: Thousands Participate In Annual AIDS Walk (May 18, 2008)
Last weekend was the 23rd annual AIDS Walk in New York’s Central Park, which raised a record $7 million, more money than any previous U.S. AIDS walk. Both the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS and the people working to combat it have increased. Global Action on Aging has persistently worked to raise awareness about the elderly’s vulnerability to the disease as well as all other age groups.
Jamaica: Grandmas to the Rescue - Elderly Aid Jamaica's Pediatric HIV Treatment (May 12, 2008)
When mothers die from HIV in their 20’s in Jamaica, the burden of care for young children usually falls on elderly female family members. Meanwhile, high unemployment rates and low wages make female heads of households more vulnerable to economic hardships. Older women have to deal with economic, medical and physical challenges as part of taking care of their HIV-positive grandchildren.
Report: US: Research on Older Adults with HIV (May 5, 2008)
The population of older adults with HIV is expanding in New York City: 30% of the almost 100,000 people living with HIV are over the age of 50 and 70% are over the age of 40. Within the next decade it is probable that the majority of people with HIV in New York City will be over the age of 50. The major reason for this trend is the unparalleled success of highly active antiretroviral drugs
(HAART) that make it possible for people to live longer, healthier lives. However, some experts demand that this development be coupled with increased sophisticated medical attention to adults who have more complex needs as a result of being infected with HIV. They are calling for doctors to test for the virus and for caregivers to consider the impact of the
co morbidities of aging, increased isolation from social support networks, and the negative impact of HIV stigma and ageism.
Report: US: The Over-50 Crowd Relearns the Facts of Life (April 1, 2008)
HIV infection is a growing fact of life for America's baby boomer population. It is a reality that both the aging and their caregivers are unprepared to address. The perception among both the older population and providers of health and social services is that seniors are not at risk for sexually transmitted disease, and as a consequence they have low awareness about the cause and treatment of HIV.
US: With HIV, Growing Older Faster (February 5, 2008)
It used to be that HIV/AIDS was uncommon among the elderly because infected individuals did not survive into old age without effective treatment. However, with advancements in HIV/AIDS research, antiretroviral drugs have been developed to curb the symptoms of the infection, but not without severe side effects. When taken in combination—often called “cocktails”—the drugs have allowed HIV patients to live longer, but the side effects are causing some patients to show physical signs of aging much sooner than normal. The onset of depression, a common psychological effect of aging, is also developing sooner in older HIV/AIDS patients. It has been estimated that approximately a quarter of a million persons currently living with HIV/AIDS are 50 years and
older.
US: Aging Baby Boomers and Seniors are at Risk for HIV (January 15, 2008)
Most HIV preventive education has been aimed at the traditional high-risk populations but must now include those over the age of 50. Older persons face an increasing risk for HIV as antiretroviral treatment is becoming more effective and people are living longer than previous generations. In addition to sex education sessions and condom distributions, experts in the prevention of the disease are advocating for grandparent/child talks whereby kids explain safe sex to their elders.
Report: US: Sexual Issues and Aging within the Context of Work with Older Adult Patients (2008)
The majority of older men and women maintain moderate or high levels of sexual interest well into their 70s but often experience sexual dysfunction. Many people lose self-esteem or confidence and undergo depression due to dissatisfaction in their sexual capacity. On the other hand, many are reluctant to face or discuss the issue. Furthermore, lack of knowledge and misinformation may expose older people to high risk of HIV/AIDS infection and other STDs.
US: Free Condoms, HIV Tests for NYC
Elderly (July 25, 2007)
“You’re giving out condoms,” 82-year-old Rose Crescenzo said with a
wistful smile, “but who’s going to give us a guy?” This is a
characteristic quote about a topic almost no one thinks about. That is the
reason it is called a silent epidemic. But, yes, older people also have
sex and must be educated about the risk of HIV/AIDS. New York City has the
highest number of HIV-infected persons in the US; most are over 50 years
of age. That is why New York officials spend $1 million educating older
persons about these risks.
US: One-third of Sexually Active Older Adults with HIV/AIDS Has Unprotected Sex (April 26, 2007)
Older adults engaging in unprotected sex risk infection with HIV. Researchers at Ohio University surveyed over 200 HIV-positive older adults and found that the mostly males who were in relationships and used Viagra were infected. The lifespan increase contributes to the increase in sexual activity among older adults over the age of 50 years, a growing proportion of whom have and will become HIV/AIDS cases. Earlier studies have shown that 65 percent of older adults over 60 years old engage in sexual intercourse. Drug use and unprotected sex, both risky behaviors, increase the chance of HIV infection. Although many HIV-positive older adults are no longer sexually active, 13 percent remain active and should be the target of prevention methods.
US: Changing Trends in HIV and AIDS in the Population Aged 50 and Older (2007)
The number of persons aged 50 and older who are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS has been increasing. In addition to longevity of life span, many older people are sexually active. However, people in the older age groups are often less knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases than younger people. Physicians very often do not initiate discussions about sex with older people .Consequently, it results in delay in testing results and infected individuals start treatment at later stages or not at all.
Report: US: AIDS Goes Gray (February 2004)
HIV has been with us for over two decades. Its survivors will live much longer than that. Thousands have been kept alive long past their expected death by a remarkable network of AIDS service agencies and public health programs that have linked them with the medication and support they need to stay healthy.
Brazil: Elderly people are at risk to get HIV infection from sexual transmission: an epidemiological survey in the south of Brazil (based on AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference)
HIV/AIDS can be found in nearly every country and among every age group. But often researchers and the general public ignore older persons, thinking that they have no sexual activity. However, some Brazilian researchers interviewed a number of older persons in the south of Brazil and found that only 14 % of the people in the age of 60 – 87 years were using condoms. They also had little knowledge of HIV/AIDs transmission or signs of infection. Clearly, older people need much more information about how to protect themselves against the HIV/AIDs infection.
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Asia Pacific
Papua New Guinea: HIV/AIDS Efforts in Papua New Guinea (April 7, 2009)
About 2% of the population in Papua, New Guinea,suffers from HIV/AIDS and this number could rise to 10% by 2025. At increasing rates, young women and older men are affected by the disease. Papua New Guinea is one of the hardest countries in which to launch a national HIV response. It has 700 different languages, no national transport, and few government services that operate outside of the capital. Some people in the country associate HIV/AIDS with sorcery and witchcraft, and there have been reports of HIV positive people being buried alive or thrown into rivers.
India: Miracle Drug Could Fight Age, HIV (November 14, 2008)
The New Scientist recently reported that a drug extracted from a plant used in Chinese medicine has helped immune cells fight HIV. It furthermore raises the possibility of slowing the ageing process in other parts of our bodies. The method actively involves so-called telomeres, caps of repetitive DNA placed at the ends of chromosomes. However, the team of researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles advised against uncontrolled use of any herbal drug and said that they would not advocate its use.
Thailand: Dancing, DIY Saunas Help Thai Elderly Cope with AIDS (October 14, 2008)
Despite the common misconception that older persons have little to do with HIV/AIDS, hundreds of seniors in Thailand lose their children and grandchildren to the virus. Now older people can share experiences and support each other by joining the support group organized by Khun Janfong Fumfoei, 71, whose son died of HIV. Working on small handicraft projects, dancing, singing, and educating young people about the symptoms, causes and prevention of HIV/AIDS are among the group's daily activities.
Vietnam: Elders Care for Families Torn by HIV (October 8, 2008)
This is another article focusing on older persons whose families are torn by the HIV virus. Of the Vietnamese elderly with a HIV/AIDS victim in the family, 82.65% have to care for between one to three family members. Nguyen Thi Mai, 73 earns $1.5 a day selling lottery tickets and she has to raise her HIV-positive son. HelpAge International, in collaboration with the Viet Nam Women’s Union, works on helping the Viet Nam elderly borrow money to pay off debts.
Vietnam: Hope for Elderly Victims of HIV (August 11, 2008)
Community Mechanisms for Mitigating the Impact of HIV/AIDS in Vietnam is a project which aims to help improve the health and livelihoods of older persons living with HIV/AIDS. Implemented by HelpAge International and the Viet Nam Women’s Union, the project provides loans to the elderly as well as training on how to earn money and repay these loans. The help is essential since the burden on the infected older persons is often tripled: not only do they have to take care of themselves, but also they become primary caregivers to their infected children and grandchildren.
Report:
Cambodia; Older Persons’ AIDS Knowledge and Willingness to Provide Care
in an Impoverished Nation: Evidence from Cambodia (April 2007)
This study examines what persons aged 60 and over in Cambodia know
about HIV/AIDS in their country which has the highest HIV prevalence in
Asia. It is clear that older aged parents commonly play a key role in the
care of their adult sons and daughters living with AIDS. Their
willingness to provide care to a family member increases with the level of
correct knowledge about the infection. But how can older persons learn
about AIDS? The study suggests that helping older persons own radios and
televisions may help, especially if a media campaign follows that
describes AIDS, its causes, and what can be done.
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Europe and Central Asia
France: Need to Identify HIV Positive Persons Not Aware of Condition (October 21, 2009)
(Article in French)
The French Health Authority (Haute Autorité de la Santé), an independent public entity, published a
report on HIV/AIDS screening in France. According to this report, an AIDS test should be suggested to all the population between 15 and 70 years old. Indeed, 40,000 people are not aware that they are HIV positive, among them many older persons. In fact, the problem is that the screening policies are mostly aimed at 'vulnerable groups.'
France: Tuberculosis is Spreading Again in France (March 24,
2009)
(Article in French)
In 2007, about 6,000 persons suffered from tuberculosis, a concern particular to persons with HIV. The interaction of both diseases is particularly dreadful because HIV and tuberculosis accelerate mutually the progress of the diseases. Tuberculosis represents a major cause of death for those living with HIV AIDS.. Among adults diagnosed with AIDS in 2006-2007 in France, more than 20% had tuberculosis as well. At the international level, WHO says that the total number of new cases remained stable in 2007; of the people affected in 2007, 14% were affected by AIDS also. Most people living with tuberculosis are in Asia (55%) and Africa (31%).
United Kingdom: Sexual Diseases Double in Eight Years among the Over-45’s (June 30, 2008)
(Article also available in Russian)
As people grow older, life around them also changes, particularly computer technology as well as medications. These changes can
impact the sexual life of older people. Analysts show that the number of sexually transmitted infections among older people has increased. Why? Most point to internet dating, new and changing relationships and an increasing
number of drugs available to combat male impotence. But older persons often fail to use condoms because they believe there is no risk of pregnancy, forgetting that they can contract deadly infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS.
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Middle East and North Africa
Algeria: 253 Cases of HIV/AIDS in Oran (July 21, 2008)
(Article in French)
Since the beginning of the year, the specialized services of the Oran hospital have counted 253 new cases of HIV/AIDS. These infections affect people of all ages and of different social and economic backgrounds. Old people are also victims of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
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Global
World: Elder Persons and HIV/AIDS (2009)
(Article in Arabic)
It is difficult to diagnose HIV/AIDS in older persons because its symptoms can be mistakenly diagnosed with other syndromes of immunodeficiency that afflict the elderly. Older people may be more vulnerable to HIV infections simply because they ignored in public awareness campaigns and thus do not benefit from education on how to protect themselves.
World: HIV among 50+ Seniors (April 3, 2009)
(Article in Russian)
According to a report from the World Health Organization, the number of seniors infected with HIV keeps increasing. For example, over the past three years the HIV infection rate among people over 50 years went up from 20% to 25% in the US and from 7.5% to 15.7% in Brazil. Lack of HIV screening and proper safe sex education among seniors are claimed to be the main causes of the increase.
World: HIV and Aging: Watch out! (March 23,
2009)
(Article in French)
Thanks to new treatments and therapies, the life expectancy of people living with HIV has been extended considerably since 1996. In countries where those treatments are available, one finds an increase in the number and proportion of people over 50 years of age who are similarly infected. Many persons have HIV AIDS due to unsafe sexual relations. The estimated level of HIV new diagnoses among this age bracket increased between 2001 and 2004, from 13.4% to 15.2%. People over 50 years old present numerous challenges to contracting the disease, including a lack of knowledge concerning the transmission and the fact that they are less targeted in prevention campaigns. The medical community must take into consideration older persons and their sexual lives, requiring skills in the area of clinical and therapeutic care.
World: Seniors and HIV/AIDS: A Field Still Unexplored According to WHO…and Yet (March 19, 2009)
(Article in French)
According to a recent report published in the WHO bulletin, people living in developed as well as developing countries are living longer and are in better health. However, the figures show a prevalence of HIV/AIDS that is astonishingly high among people over 50 years. Until now, public officials seldom took into account the situation of older persons in their demographic and public health studies. Often ignored is that the older the person is, the more an HIV infection evolves towards AIDS. Older people are less likely to have safe sex than younger people, studies show. In developing countries, the sexual activity of seniors is rarely a topic for study.
World: More And More Older Persons Are Living With HIV/AIDS (March 9, 2009)
(Article in French and in Russian)
A World Health Organization report claims that sexually transmitted diseases such as Hiv/AIDS are on the rise because of the greatly increased number of sexually active adults over the age of 50. There is a tendency for people in this age group to disregard “safe sex.” Statistics show that in the European Union 8% of new HIV cases involve seniors and in the USs the percentage is 11%.
World: HIV’s Frequency Increasing among People over 50 (March 4, 2009)
(Article in French)
The number of people living with HIV is increasing in the world, but physicians tend to postpone the diagnosis, according to the World Health Organization. Older people generally take less care to have safe sex than younger generations. The older the person is, the more quickly HIV progresses towards AIDS. Many more people of an advanced age than we previously believed are
affected.
Report: World: Population Ageing. Towards an Improvement of the Quality of Life (2009)
The present book was based on presentations made at the 2007 international conference of the Belgian Platform on Population and Development.
Unlike popular perceptions, population aging is a global phenomenon and not limited to the developed world. For example, a country might not be able to provide health benefits or a universal pension due to very low economic standards. African countries are a case in point. They must confront HIV/AIDS, hunger, disease and poverty and lack the capability to deal with an aging population and to provide pensions that are urgently needed. The authors urge international programs to help poor nations deal with ‘population ageing.’ With the Millennium Development Goals in place, we can expect lower fertility and a shift in the age composition in the future.
World: World AIDS Day: Older People Face HIV Risk, Too (December 1, 2008)
On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition pointed out that 30% of people with the virus in Connecticut do not know they have it. In the first six months of this year, 27 new cases were reported in people older than 50. The highest numbers of new cases were reported in the age group 40 to 49. The second highest numbers were in people older than 50. The Alliance for Living, a US nonprofit organization, now offers an HIV and AIDS prevention program called Positively Speaking that sends speakers to schools and community events to educate people about the risks.
World: UN Urged to Include Older People In Access to HIV Prevention (December 1, 2008)
The two charities Help Age International and Help the Aged recently warned that the United Nations will fail to meet its target of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. The reason is that older people continue to be excluded from global responses to the pandemic. Moreover, the lack of information for older persons is placing millions in danger of contracting HIV as they fail to be targeted for testing and awareness-raising initiatives – not to mention the huge number of undiagnosed older people living with the disease.
World: UNAIDS Must Recognise Over 50s as a Risk Group (August 1, 2008)
Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey 2007 revealed that the prevalence of HIV among people aged 50-54 years is almost 8%, double that among 15-24 year-olds. There are 25 core indicators that monitor progress in tackling HIV/AIDS. None of these indicators monitor the impact on or prevalence of HIV and AIDS among those over 50.
Report: UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS
(UNGASS) Indicators: Where are the Over-50s? (June 2008)
HIV/AIDS and older persons are rarely mentioned together. Writers and readers alike assume that older persons don’t engage in sex and have no need to learn about “protected sex.” This blind spot means that millions of older people are left out of international and national policy and education about HIV/AIDS and its transmission, thus limiting the HIV/AIDS response.
Report: Ageways 71: HIV and AIDs (June 2008)
HIV/AIDs affects every age, including older persons. But where are the statistics about old persons and HIV/AIDS? This report from HelpAge International demonstrates the importance of elder caregivers
for orphaned grandchildren and adults who have HIV AIDS. However, many policymakers forget that older persons themselves are sexually active and can become infected with the disease.
World:
How Does HIV/AIDS Affect the Elderly in Developing Countries? (August
2007)
Although younger generations are most at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, the
elderly may be most vulnerable to infection. In addition, as a
greater number of young adults are infected, older persons “not only
lose the support of their adult children, but they must increasingly take
on additional familial responsibilities- with potentially adverse effects
for their own” income and health. Information and resources
targeted at the elderly can help them take care of their loved ones and to
protect themselves.
World: Inadequate Data Affecting Flow of Aid to Elderly HIV/AIDS Care Givers (July 31, 2007)
HelpAge International, a London-based NGO, recently organized a forum to discuss the issue of elderly caregivers in areas ravaged by HIV. Jo Mayer, HIV and AIDS Coordinator at HelpAge, says that older persons often “feel depressed because they have little or no information about HIV (and) so cannot communicate effectively to their grandchildren to help protect them.” Participants recommended including older persons and the particular needs of older caregivers in existing policies.
World: Africa Health Strategy 2007-2015
(April 2007)
African Union ministers have developed the “African Health Strategy 2007-2015,” which aims to offer strategies and approaches on strengthening the equity and development of health systems in Africa. The Health Strategy recognizes many of the challenges that elderly people must face everyday. The strategy highlights the “alarming growth” of chronic diseases and recommends that better services be provided to aid sufferers. It also notes that older people are increasingly shouldering the responsibility of caring for orphans and children.
World: Commission on the Status of
Women: Reversing Spread of HIV/AIDS among Girls and Women (February 27,
2007)
The Commission on the Status of Women is gathering at the UN this year,
February 26th to March 9th around the specific theme of “the elimination
of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child.” Beside
the work of the Commission, NGO’s have organized many side events
relating to the theme. On February 27th, Zonta International held a
workshop entitled “Reversing Spread of HIV/AIDS among girls and women.”
Forming small groups, the audience addressed different questions such as
finding effective measures to combat HIV/AIDS and taking actions with
NGOs and governments. As the workshop leader said, dealing with HIV/AIDS
means also dealing with care issues and the fundamental role
grandmothers take in caring for their grandchildren orphaned by the
plague. Valentine Honoré from Global Action on Aging participated in
this workshop advocating more specifically for social pensions as a
necessary resource to allow older persons to help the young survive. To
learn more about social pensions, click here:
http://www.globalaging.org/pension/world/social/socialpensions.htm
World: Social
Pensions: UN Offers Support but No Cash for Older Carers
(June 8, 2006)
Member states adopted a new UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS on June 2, 2006 . The Declaration commits governments to provide support and rehabilitation to older people, particularly in their role as caregivers. Although HelpAge International appreciates this commitment, the organization is concerned that the Declaration contains weak human rights provisions as “it does not acknowledge older people as a vulnerable group with specific needs, and fails to set specific targets towards achieving universal access to treatment by 2010,“ says Jo Maher, HelpAge International’s HIV/AIDS Coordinator.
Report: World: HIV/AIDS and Older People (2002)
(Report in French)
Older people are as vulnerable to AIDS as younger people. Women are even more vulnerable. However, older people tend to protect themselves less and health professionals tend to be less inquisitive when dealing with the sexuality of older patients. Furthermore, older people endure more stress and have significantly more family responsibilities than young people. Potential solutions could be found by investing in more preventive care for older people and breaking the taboos concerning sexual activity
World: Elderly ‘Bear Brunt of AIDS Care’ (April
5, 2002)
The elderly bear the brunt of HIV/AIDS care, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. This concern
spurred the 2002 World Assembly on Aging to relieve the burden on seniors having to care for infected relatives and sometimes deal with the illness themselves. Estimates show that five million grandparents in Africa are primary caregivers for their grandchildren after the death of the children’s parents due to AIDS. The Assembly called for financial and psychological support for these
older caregivers.
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