New Resource for Aged Care Workers & HIV

SYDNEY - July 23, 2014 - PRLog -- New Resource on HIV and Ageing for Aged Care Workers

A new resource for Aged Care Workers about HIV and ageing has just been released by the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM).

With big advances in knowledge and treatments, many people living with HIV have a normal life expectancy and are starting to access aged care services.

“There has been clear and strong support from the aged care sector for a resource on HIV and ageing,” said Karen Seager, ASHM’s Senior Project Officer responsible for creating the resource.

A survey found that 68 per cent of respondents, representing a cross-section of the aged care sector, had never had any training on HIV.

“More than 80 per cent of our respondents wanted to know how the HIV virus affected the ageing process,” said Karen.

The 12-page booklet offers practical, plain English information and advice so that aged care workers can arm themselves with the knowledge they need to deliver quality care to people living with HIV. The booklet, which was created in collaboration with the aged care workforce and funded by the Department of Health, contains information about:

* The Simple Facts about HIV

* Who has HIV?

* Treatments for HIV

* Infection prevention and control in the workplace

* How HIV affects the ageing process

* Stigma and discrimination

* Residents’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities

The booklet is available as both a PDF download and a hard copy booklet. Please visit www.ashm.org.au/publications to download or order.

About ASHM

ASHM is a peak organisation of health professionals in Australia and New Zealand who work in HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections (STIs).