Central New Yorkers who survived the HIV/AIDS epidemic are aging, and that presents challenges getting proper medical care. It's one of many struggles that come to light on the heels of World AIDS Day.
More than half of those with HIV in the U.S. are over 50, and that’s typically when most of us begin feeling the effects of aging. But ACR Health CEO Lisa Alford said those with HIV face other complications.
“They may have higher rates of heart disease or diabetes, bone loss, those types of things, even cognitive decline because of some of the medications," she said, "Sometimes it may be difficult for healthcare providers, particularly if they aren't keeping up to date on their training on the potential impacts. They may be thinking it's due to aging, but it may be actually due to some medication interactions.”
Alford said it's difficult even finding a knowledgeable provider, especially in rural areas. ACR Health offers care management for those with HIV/AIDS, such as enrolling them in a health insurance plan that covers critical and expensive medications. That’s usually through the Affordable Care Act, which was designed to provide care for those with pre-existing and chronic conditions. But Alford said the looming deadline to extend ACA subsidies has everyone on edge.
“We're concerned about people just not getting insurance at all," she said. "Obviously if you don't have insurance to pay for care, medications, we worry about then that impacting people taking care of themselves. We've been trying to end this epidemic for years. And we certainly do not want it to go in the opposite direction.”
ACR Health also provides stigma-free social support, plus financial and housing assistance to those unable to work. The agency is holding two World AIDS Day events this week…one is Wednesday in Syracuse and another Thursday in Utica.
