Nature and Purpose
The US Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health agree that, by 2015, over 50% of those with HIV/AIDS in the USA will be over the age of fifty. This demographic change will create an increasing burden on the already struggling US health care system.

One of the fastest growing segments of patients with HIV is the over 50 group. Their numbers encompass both genders and all ethnicities and are over represented in the Latino, African American and LGBT communities.

Patients over fifty years of age are less likely to be tested for HIV. Of equal or greater concern, their symptoms are often masked due to their age related co-morbidities which further complicates both diagnosis and disease management due to age associated disorders. Data are showing more rapid progression of diabetic and cardiovascular diseases in HIV positive patients leading to earlier morbidities and shorter life spans. Among age categories people diagnosed with HIV infection from 2004 to 2006 were age 50 to 59.  Those 60 years old and older had the highest proportions of concurrent AIDS.

In our attempts to reach the approximately 1/3 of people over age 50 who do not know their HIV status to educate them about HIV/AIDS Awareness and Testing, we are:

• Increasing our outreach to caregivers in nursing homes, rehab hospitals and other chronic care facilities.
• Providing more educational opportunities for all health care providers, emphasizing the complexities of dealing with the combination of HIV/AIDS and all the other diseases of aging.
• Providing support for those infected, as well as for their partners, family and caregivers in dealing with the psychosocial aspects of their health care problems.
• Working with other agencies, particularly the New England AIDS Education and Training Center in continuing to publicize the epidemic and help to educate all those concerned.

Tasks:
Students will have opportunities ranging from the planning and implementation of outreach projects to traditional nonprofit office work. This work might include students working directly with staff members to help refer clients to services, the planning of events like the LGBT Senior Dance, or longer term projects such as organizing distribution of red ribbons on World AIDS day.

Time Requirement:
Students must serve two 4-hours shifts between 9:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday-Thursday.

Supervision
Students will be supervised by the CEO, Jim Campbell.

Supervisor
Jim Campbell, jcampbellnahof@aol.com

Address
38 Chauncy Street Suite 500 Boston, MA 02111

Council Member
Sarah Wolfe