If your grandmother were to ask you for your Twitter handle or your grandfather wanted to become your Facebook friend, how would you respond? If you posted or tweeted messages related to HIV or AIDS awareness, education or testing among older adults, would you be willing to share that information with your grandparents?

Beyond individual experiences with using social media across generations, it’s useful to learn about technology and social media use among older Americans. 63% of all American adults, and 27% of all Americans ages 65 and olderExit Disclaimer, are social networking site users. Use of social networking sites by older Americans has been steadily increasing in recent yearsExit Disclaimer. Did you know that AARP, the organization that helps people 50 and older, provides guidanceExit Disclaimer on how to get started with social media? Technology and social media have an increasing place in health communication among and for older adults.

As the founder of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, The AIDS Institute encourages the use of social media to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and aging among older adults and encourage participation in upcoming activities related to National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness DayExit Disclaimer, #NHAAADExit Disclaimer, which is observed annually on September 18th.

Using Technology to Communicate about HIV and Aging

On September 10, 2014 at 3:00PM (EDT), The AIDS Institute will host a webinar to broaden much needed awareness of HIV/AIDS among older adults. Click hereExit Disclaimer to register for the NHAAAD Aging Experience + Advanced Developments = A Fundamental HIV Message webinar scheduled for September 10, 2014 at 3:00PM (EDT).

Observing National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day with Social Media

The AIDS Institute’s NHAAAD Social Media GuideExit Disclaimer provides detailed messages and tweets that users can copy and paste to post or retweet. Use #NHAAADExit Disclaimer and #AIDSandAging Exit Disclaimer so everyone can view your tweets or like NHAAADExit Disclaimer on Facebook.

The AIDS Institute will provide assistance with marketing and promotion of your local, regional or national activities or events. To register, please visit 2014 NHAAAD Event RegistrationExit Disclaimer.

For more information on National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day or to access NHAAAD materials and resources, we encourage you to visit www.nhaad.orgExit Disclaimer or NHAAADExit Disclaimer on Facebook.

Help us spread this important information. Tell us below how you plan to use social media to spread awareness about NHAAAD or your efforts related to HIV/AIDS and Aging.Editor’s Note: For more information on HIV and aging, visit HIV.gov and the Administration on Aging.