Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Aging: Philadelphia Residents Adapt to Living Longer with HIV
An increasing number of individuals aged 50 and above in the United States, including the Philadelphia region and surrounding areas, are living with HIV/AIDS. This demographic shift raises concerns about the unique mental health and post-traumatic stress challenges faced by these individuals, many of whom have been living with the disease for decades.
One such individual is Jay Lassiter, a 52-year-old resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Lassiter, who was diagnosed with HIV in the 1990s, has chosen to spend his time volunteering with MANNA, a nonprofit organization that delivers medically tailored food to the ill. Lassiter views his decision to volunteer as part of a mid-life crisis, one that has led him to focus on meaningful activities in light of his chronic illness.
"I'm not going to squander a second chance of longevity," Lassiter said. "Part of not squandering my second chance is embracing and working really, really hard to ensure that my life is the way that I want it to be."
Lassiter's life has been marked by more than just HIV. He has battled drug and alcohol addiction, as well as complications from early HIV medications like severe anemia. Despite these challenges, Lassiter is able to maintain a fulfilling life, thanks in part to the advances in HIV treatment that have been made over the years.
"Today's HIV treatment options don't have as many side effects and require fewer pills or injections," Lassiter said.
But as Lassiter and other HIV survivors live longer lives, they must face the physical and mental health challenges that come with aging. This includes an increased risk of developing cognitive, motor, and mood disorders, frailty, and cardiovascular disease.
According to Dr. Jay Kostman, chief medical officer at Philadelphia FIGHT, health care is now shifting from simply keeping people alive to addressing the primary care and health issues that aging HIV patients are now facing.
"You have to shift your gears to say, 'Okay, we're controlling the virus, but our patients have heart disease and are having heart attacks and strokes,'" Kostman said.
Ongoing research is focused on identifying the health issues in older patients that may be attributable to the virus and treatment medications, as well as determining the impact of genetics, other factors, or simply aging itself.
Another challenge faced by older HIV survivors is post-traumatic stress. Many survivors have lived through decades of HIV-related stigma, loss of peers to AIDS, and the trauma associated with the early epidemic.
Jeff Haskins, a 69-year-old HIV survivor and deputy director of Project TEACH at Philadelphia FIGHT, has dealt with recurring feelings of anxiety, stress, and trauma throughout his life.
"My anxiety rises and I'm always trying to just go through the mood changes and [asking], 'Why am I feeling this way?'" Haskins said.
As more people with HIV enter old age, it becomes increasingly important to address their mental health needs. This includes providing trauma-informed care, addressing social isolation, and offering support for those dealing with grief and loss.
For Jay Lassiter, staying on top of his health has been a priority for many years now, and he takes advantage of every preventative health screening that's available to him. Lassiter is determined to give back and live a good, long life, not just for himself, but in honor of the many people who lost their lives to HIV/AIDS and never got a chance to grow old.
"My good life avenges that loss," Lassiter said, pausing with emotion. "My good life is an act of defiance. I'm happy that I'm still here."
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- Although advances in HIV treatment have enabled Jay Lassiter to maintain a fulfilling life, as he ages, he must also face the physical and mental health challenges that come with increasing years, including an increased risk of developing cognitive, motor, and mood disorders, frailty, and cardiovascular disease.
- In line with the evolving healthcare needs of aging HIV patients, health care providers are now focusing on addressing primary care and health issues, such as heart disease and strokes, that are becoming more prevalent in this demographic.
- Alongside the physical health challenges, older HIV survivors often struggle with post-traumatic stress, having lived through decades of HIV-related stigma, loss of peers to AIDS, and the trauma associated with the early epidemic.
- It is essential to provide trauma-informed care, address social isolation, and offer support for those dealing with grief and loss to meet the mental health needs of older HIV survivors, giving them the chance to live fulfilling lives in honor of those lost to HIV/AIDS.
