Project Overview

Nearly half of the Canadian population living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are now older than 50 years of age. Older persons living with HIV (PLWH) face numerous aging and HIV-related care needs that can be met by geriatric specialists. However, HIV care has only recently been acknowledged as a domain of geriatrics. Despite this, clinical recommendations and models of care for providing geriatric care through virtual means are lacking. Virtual care can better meet the needs of individuals who live in rural and remote areas but must be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner. As such, this research is the first step in a larger program of research aimed at co-designing, implementing and evaluating culturally appropriate virtual geriatric care for diverse older adults living with HIV. As the population with HIV grows older, the culturally appropriate application of geriatric principles to virtual care can enhance their quality of care and overall wellbeing.