Grant: Travel Awards - Institute Community Support

Background: HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) will affect many people aging with HIV, causing problems with memory, concentration, and the ability to learn. To prepare social workers to help people cope with HAND, a study was conducted to understand: a) self-identified concerns of older adults affected by HAND in Ontario; b) how these concerns were currently being addressed; and c) how participants defined the role of social workers. Methods: Four peer researchers (i.e., people aging with HIV who have cognitive challenges) and three social workers recruited people living with HIV over age 50 who expressed HAND concerns. Participants (n=108) completed a survey, and a subset (n=20) were then interviewed. Questions focused on the social determinants of health, HAND testing, cognitive and mental health concerns, existing supports, and the role of social work. After four two-hour analysis meetings, overall findings were determined. Results: 90% of participants were seeing their doctor and taking HIV medications regularly. Despite this, all participants self-reported HAND symptoms with 58% not talking about these concerns with anyone. From the interviews, two major themes emerged: a) fear, shame, and uncertainty concerning HIV and aging; and b) a sense that "social workers are the meat and potatoes", which included sub-themes concerning the need for social work HAND support, the positive impact that social workers have had on participants, and the importance of client-focused social work. Conclusions: Participants hesitated to discuss cognitive concerns out of a fear of being labelled as "less of a person". Yet, they said that social workers could help ease HAND's challenges by: a) providing therapy to relieve stress and address shame; b) HAND screening referral and follow-up; and c) identifying social support opportunities. This presentation discusses how social workers can support clients concerning HIV, aging, and cognition in research and practice.