How Have Healthcare Providers Responded?

• Healthcare providers aren't aware.  They have not recognized the scope of the problem. “The biggest challenge regarding the elderly is improving clinical awareness.”(Lieberman, 2000)
• Healthcare providers often accept the stereotypes regarding older adult patients' sexuality and drug use. “Primary care physicians reported that they were less likely to consider HIV infection as a diagnosis among the over-50 age group."(Maes and Louis, 2003)
• Do you know if your older patient is sexually active?  Is your older patient gay? – assess and talk about risk.
• Healthcare providers do not discuss HIV/AIDS with their older patients. "Primary care physicians reported . . . that they were less likely to discuss symptoms suggestive of HIV infection or counsel older patients to have HIV testing."(Maes and Louis, 2003)

• Healthcare providers have limited communication regarding diagnosis, treatment, and care between those who care for older adults and those who treat those infected with HIV/AIDS. "Few practitioners are experts both in HIV and in health problems associated with aging.”(Maes and Louis, 2003)

• Healthcare providers have made limited efforts to inform and engage the public, older adults, caregivers, and other stakeholders.
• Have you seen HIV/AIDS information – posters, brochures, flyers - designed with pictures of older people?