In July 2004 the World AIDS Conference met in Bangkok, and the current statistics show that AIDS among the heterosexual elderly is the fastest growing group not only in the United States, but also around the world.
If elderly people are alone after a partner has passed on or have gone through a divorce, eventually they may enjoy the company of a new partner. Besides going out and having fun, sexuality is still a part of life for seniors.
Many elderly people would not think to ask their partner to use a condom. I know most of us coming from an earlier generation are not used to using condoms for anything other than birth control.
A big part of successfully taking care of ourselves and elders in our care is getting education. In some cases this education involves learning not only how our bodies change, but also how the world has changed. Elder education about AIDS is an important part of health care and growing older.
A good place to start is going together, yes together, to get an AIDS test with a new partner. It's hard to know with whom your new partner has been sexually active before he or she met you, so an AIDS test is very important. Bringing up this discussion as you begin to think about intimacy can be the beginning to a trusting relationship. If your partner is appalled about doing this, think twice whether you want to be with someone who does not respect your health concerns. I wish every one with a new partner would have the strength and courage to stand up for their own health in this way. If you have no definite result from an AIDS test, condoms should always be used — at any age.
Sexual contact is the most common way to become infected with the AIDS virus. Another way is through a blood transfusion, although with current screening of donors and blood testing this is extremely rare: only 1:1 million. I think we can say that the United States blood supply is safe; nonetheless, if you plan a surgery, your doctor will probably recommend that you donate your own blood for your operation.
I don't want to bore you with numbers, but I do want to emphasize that elders are the fastest growing population exposed to HIV infection and AIDS. The difference between HIV infection and AIDS is that people with HIV infection have no AIDS symptoms, but they can develop full-blown AIDS at a later time. Magic Johnson, for example, has the HIV virus, but so far he has no signs of AIDS.
Today we have more and better medications with which to treat HIV infection. Medications for HIV infections are very effective, but they are most effective the earlier you are diagnosed and begin treatment. It is important to remember, however, that none of these drugs can cure HIV infection or AIDS. Once infected with the HIV virus, you will have the virus in your blood, in your body for the rest of your life. The only "cure" is prevention!
It is in your own hands and it is your own responsibility to protect yourself by practicing safe sex with condoms, talking openly with prospective partners, and getting tested. You have only one life, and I appeal to each one of you to take very good care of it.
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This article originally appeared in Ruth F. Martin's column “Seniors' Choices” in the Register-Pajaronian newspaper. [August 2004]
To contact Ruth about consulting services, please call (831) 632-0603 or email her at info@healthandseniorcare.org.
©2004 Ruth F. Martin. All rights reserved.
