The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or other Federal agencies.

Just two months before the 30th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV in the United States, the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAOExit Disclaimer)—a network of national aging organizations—released its official recommendations for the upcoming reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, the country's primary vehicle for delivering services to older people at the local level.

Addressing Needs of Older Americans Living with HIV

At the urging of SAGE, in partnership with several diverse aging and HIV organizations, the LCAO is promoting seven recommendations to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders in the provisions of the Older Americans Act, and a critically important recommendation to help address the needs of older people living with HIV. LCAO is encouraging the federal government to address the service needs of “the growing number of older adults living with HIV and the related health disparities, discrimination and stigma.”

Why are these recommendations happening now? Our country is witnessing two major demographic shifts. First, as a large wave of Baby Boomers begins entering retirement age, we're concurrently seeing larger and larger numbers of "out" LGBT older people. Second, thanks to the medical advances in HIV-related treatment, many people who have HIV/AIDS are living longer lives—and, thus, the "graying" of HIV in this country.

Today, approximately 28% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are over 50. By 2017 that number is projected to grow to 50%. In addition, it is estimated that 15% of all new HIV infections occur in people over 50. And the available data clearly documents that the AIDS epidemic has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men, gay and bisexual men, people of color and transgender people—of all ages, including elders. More than 1,000 diagnoses of HIV infection were reported among MSM age 55 and older each year from 2006-2009, according to CDC data (PDF).

Trends Creating Greater Health Risks for Older Adults

As a direct service provider with a long history of supporting LGBT older people living with HIV/AIDS, SAGE is deeply concerned about the severe challenges that face our elders. For example, in one study, 80% of LGBT older people with HIV lived alone, compared to 67% of older heterosexuals living with HIV. We know from our experience working with LGBT older people living with HIV that the harmful effects of such social isolation include depression, poor nutrition and premature mortality. In addition, fear of discrimination often prevents LGBT elders from seeking the health care they need until it is too late, which means they can first present with advanced HIV infection (i.e., AIDS) leading to worse health outcomes. And, too often, HIV prevention messages ignore LGBT older people or assume that older people are not sexually active. Together, these trends create greater health risks for older adults.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Aging addressed some of these issues in their special webinar, Positive Aging: HIV Turns 30. The webinar, featuring Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging at HHS, and SAGE’s Doreen Bermudez, among others, focused on educating the Aging Network about HIV prevention and treatment specific to older adults. If you were not able to participate live, please consider viewing the archive, available at AoA’s Older Adults and HIV/AIDS webpage. The National Institute on Aging at NIH also has an Age Page on HIV, AIDS and Older People, for aging services and healthcare providers about the unique needs of elders living with HIV/AIDS.

These are only the first steps to improving the quality of life for older people living with HIV. But they're critically important ones.

How are issues related to HIV and aging being addressed in your community? Share your observations or recommendations in the Comments section below.

Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults. SAGE has pioneered programs and services for the aging LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT aging issues. In 2010, SAGE was awarded a three-year $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration on Aging to seed the creation of the nation's only National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. Karpiak, S.E. & Brennan, M. (2009). The emerging population of older adults with HIV and introduction to ROAH the research study. In Brennan, M., Karpiak, S.E., Shippy, R.A., & Cantor, M.H., Older Americans with HIV: An In-depth Examination of an Emerging Population.