Identifying the service needs of older HIV positve persons: Results from the southwestern PA HIV needs assessment

Background: Advancements in HIV treatment have resulted in improved health outcomes and longevity for persons living with the disease. This shift towards a chronic care model necessitates a re-evaluation of the types of services needed by persons living with HIV/AIDS. The goal of this needs assessment was to identify what can be done to better support the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Moreover, the special issues and concerns of older persons with HIV are not well understood.

Methods: Utilizing surveys administered on-line, via telephone, and as paper hardcopy, a total of 320 respondents, residing in 12 counties, completed questionnaires which included questions about HIV status, general health status, access to care, service need, barriers to care, and conceptualizations of ideal care.

Results: This presentation provides a demographic snap shot of the subsample of older (age 55+) respondents. Of the 42 respondents, 83% were male, 29% had a high school education or less, 38% were white, 41% were employed, and 48% were homosexual or bisexual. The top area of identified unmet need was dental care, reported by 19% of the respondents. The top two challenges to receiving care were “lack of transportation” (19%) and “being unaware of what services are available” (24%). The most reported barrier to receiving care was related to “personal resource barriers.”

Conclusions: Decreasing the barriers to care and addressing the unmet service needs of older HIV positive persons living in Southwestern Pennsylvania will contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life.