Brunswick Centre Newsletter

Page 4
Brunswick Centre Newsletter
Aging and HIV
Caption describing picture
or graphic.
As we age our
immune
systems make
less of the
specific T-
cells needed
to respond to
new infections
and to develop
immunity
after a
vaccination.
Many older people lead healthy,
active and exciting lives and living
with HIV should not impact on this,
but some health problems are more
common within the HIV+ population.
Will HIV make me age faster?
Research has shown HIV causes the
immune system to age faster than
people who are not living with HIV;
this means that younger people with
HIV can have 'older' immune systems.
This is because the virus
causes the immune system to become
inflamed and also due to the
effects it has on some of the T-cells
(T-cells are a type of white blood
cell that plays a central role in supporting
the immune system.) There
has been a rise in the number of
younger HIV positive people having
'age-related' diseases and health
problems because of this - such
as cancers, cardiovascular disease
and osteoporosis.
At the same time, there has been an
increase in the number of older
people living with HIV experiencing
age-related diseases. 2014 studies
from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
and 2020 Health have confirmed
that age-related illnesses,
particularly heart and kidney disease,
were more common in older
HIV positive people. You can download
copies of the studies here:
https://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/
default/files/jrf/migrated/files/
living-with-HIV-full.pdf
http://
www.2020health.org/2020health/
Publications/Publications-2014/
HIV.html
What is happening to my body as I
get older?
Over time, our bodies gradually
lose strength, although we now
know the benefits of a healthy
lifestyle and exercising as we age.
This means that older people now
lead healthier, longer lives than in
previous generations.
As we age our immune systems
make less of the specific T- cells
needed to respond to new infections
and to develop immunity
after a vaccination. This is why it
can be harder for older people to
recover from illnesses and why
they may not develop protection
after an immunisation.
Can I slow down the ageing process?
No-one can stop the ageing process;
however, we can make
changes to our lifestyles which will
help keep our bodies stronger and
healthier into old age. These include
stopping smoking, exercising
more and improving our diets, as
well as managing our HIV well.
Living with HIV can be an added
complication as we age, but improving
our general health can prepare
our bodies for a happy, healthy
older age.
Over 50s are now the fastestgrowing
group of people living with
HIV.
Modern HIV treatment means that
many people with HIV are living long,
healthy lives. Living with HIV presents
certain challenges, no matter
what your age. But older people with
HIV may face different issues than
younger people, including greater
social isolation and loneliness. Stigma
is also a particular concern
among older people with HIV. Stigma
negatively affects people’s quality of
life, self-image, and behaviours, and
may prevent them disclosing their
HIV status and seeking HIV care or
support.
It is important for older people with
HIV to get linked to HIV care and
have access to mental health and
other support services to help them
stay healthy and remain engaged in
HIV care. The Brunswick Centre can
support the emotional and physical
wellbeing of people living with HIV
regardless of age, however if you
are particularly worried about HIV
and aging and live in the Calderdale
or Kirklees area come and speak to
us. Whether you've been diagnosed
recently or have been living with HIV
for many years, it's likely our service
can help.
A warm welcome
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or graphic.
We are pleased to be offering a
student social work placement
again this year.
Razwanah Alam is joining us from
the University of Bradford for a
70-day placement and will be
working in the HIV support team.
Razwanah says ‘My role will predominately
focus on working
within the support team to support
people living with HIV. I possess
extensive experience of working
within the third sector supporting
vulnerable groups, as well as working
in the statutory sector predominately
within the area of health and
health inequalities. Over the last 13
years, I have worked within third
sector infrastructure supporting
organsations to deliver front line
services to local communities.
I am passionate about
social justice and challenging
social inequality in its many
different guises. I am extremely
excited about working at the
Brunswick Centre.’