HIV as You Get Older

Many people think of HIV as a young person's disease, but it's not. "By 2015, half of all people with HIV will be 50 or older," says Brad Hare, MD, director of the HIV/AIDS clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. This greying of the HIV population shows how well today’s HIV treatments can work.

HIV makes aging itself more complicated. But plenty of people have had HIV for years, even decades, and are doing well.  "These days, we fully expect that someone with HIV will live a long, healthy life," says Christine A. Wanke, MD, professor of medicine and director of the nutrition and infection unit at Tufts University School of Medicine. "But that means they have to plan ahead and adopt the healthy habits to stay that way, just like anyone without HIV."

HIV and Aging: 5 Common Challenges

As you get older with HIV, you may face issues including:

1. Other conditions. Just like anybody, getting older means you're more likely to have health problems, and HIV seems to bump up the risk even more. "HIV accelerates the aging process and magnifies its effects," says John G. Bartlett, MD, professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and director of its AIDS service. So HIV may make you more likely to get heart disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, kidney problems, and other conditions.

2. Drug interactions. Since you’re already taking medicines for HIV, additional drugs for other conditions can increase the chance of interactions.

3. Loss of support. Some people become more isolated as they age. That happens more often to people with HIV, who may also be dealing with embarrassment about the condition or strained family relationships. If you're alone and disconnected, you're more likely to get depressed.

4. Changing roles. Like many people without HIV, you may be caring for your aging parents. That can add emotional and financial pressures.

5. Difficulty adjusting. "I talk to people with HIV who say, 'I didn't expect to live to middle age,'" says Hare. "'But now I'm middle-aged and I'm probably going to live another 30 years.'" Many people who got HIV long ago didn't plan for a long life, and adjusting can be a challenge. For instance, you might not have saved for a longer life.

7 Steps to Take

1. See an HIV expert. The more your health is complicated by age and other conditions, the more crucial it is to have an expert overseeing your HIV care.

2. Get good routine medical care. Specialty HIV care is not enough. Because your risks of other medical problems are higher, keep on top of your general health, says Hare. Get your annual physicals, keep tabs on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other tests your doctor recommends.

3. Avoid drug interactions. Make certain every doctor you see knows about every medication and supplement you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and natural products. Doctors may adjust your medicines, dosages, or schedules to prevent interactions.

4. Improve your lifestyle. To enjoy life as you age, stay fit. Exercise regularly, and if you smoke, stop.

5. Eat a healthy diet. Go for lots of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. "Eating a heart-healthy diet makes sense for everyone," says Bartlett. "But because people with HIV have higher risks of heart disease, it makes even more sense for them."

6. Seek support. Having a support system of family and friends is key. Make an effort to stay connected. If close friends or family have died or moved away, work on making new friends. You might also connect through a support group.

7. Get help. Call your local health department to learn about local resources for people with HIV, says Hare. Your local Council on Aging is a good place to start; it can point you toward programs and services that could help. A financial planner may also help you work on savings and expenses.