Ilene Warner-Maron
Institute for Continuing Education and Research, USA
Title: Using the senior center as the forum to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention strategies to older adults
Biography
Biography: Ilene Warner-Maron
Abstract
In 2015, fifty percent of all HIV/AIDS cases in the US will affect people over the age of 50. Despite this increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS either as a consequence of growing older with the virus or contracting HIV in later life, little attention has been paid to older adults by primary care providers with regard to sexuality in general or safe sex specifically. This presentation focuses on a study performed among low-income older adults in six senior centers in Philadelphia, PA, USA to identify knowledge of HIV/AIDS and sexual health issues pre and post an educational program presented in the setting of the senior center. A parallel study was conducted among senior center staff to determine attitudes about sexuality, the dissemination of safe sex/HIV prevention education and the readiness of staff to engage in dialogue with older adults about intimate issues.
