Because there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS, the numbers keep growing. As the population ages, we are seeing a lot of issues connected uniquely to long-term survivors of AIDS. We are also still seeing a lot of stigma not only just in the general population, but also in the caregiving community. The Caregiver Education and Training program utilizes our core competencies of expert HIV/AIDS healthcare and opens it up to the community of caregivers (professional to friends and family).
Every 9 1/2 minutes someone in the US is infected with HIV. This means that the HIV/AIDS population is still growing - without a cure. As the population ages, there are many options for care - from in home care to skilled nursing facilities, but most are unprepared for the unique issues surrounding HIV/AIDS, and the long term effects of the virus and the medications.
The Caregiver Education and Training project will provide on-line modules for all levels of caregiving expertise. They will address issues ranging from understanding how the virus works, medications available, medication management, safety issues, and other key aspects of HIV care. The target audience will range from professional clinicians to family and friends. A large part of the training also addresses the issues of stigma. One-on-one training will also be available.
Long term effects of this project will include: - A better understanding of the virus and its effects - Decreasing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS - Improving the care of people with HIV/AIDS - Decreasing the need for more expensive care and hospitalizations - Creating a single source of reference for HIV/AIDS caregiving issues
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).
