Silverfoxes: Growing Older and Living with AIDS

“Today, although there is still no cure, antiretroviral treatment enables HIV-positive people to live longer and healthier lives,” says Department of Health & Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden.

Since the discovery of HIV and AIDS over 25 years ago, many major changes in the availability of HIV medications and advanced medical treatment for AIDS-related conditions and its co-morbidities have occurred. At the same time, there has been a shift in both the patient profile as well as the focus of a global response to the disease. Domestically, persons living with AIDS are living longer and generally speaking, are healthier. In the past decade, we have become increasingly aware of a gradual rise in the average age of and subsequently, the so called “older” age cohort: age 50 or older. The growing numbers in this group have presented different challenges for service providers due to their unique set of needs associated with living with HIV/AIDS and the aging process.

At Rivington House, a 206-bed nursing home for adults who are HIV symptomatic or have been diagnosed with AIDS, the need for support to those with HIV/AIDS who are 50 or older is being addressed. Some have been living with HIV/AIDS for years or even decades. Others are newly diagnosed in this later stage of their life and are struggling to adjust to living with a chronic illness alongside issues surrounding growing older. Consequently, these “older” residents of Rivington House have begun to express desires to receive specialized services for their unique set of needs. They want to learn how to stay healthy, be spiritual, adjust to the aging process, learn new skills and to be less worried about getting older. Furthermore, they believe that they have a great deal of life experiences to share with others.

A group known as the Silver Foxes was formed for residents who are 50 years old or older to come together to build awareness around the issues of growing older and living with AIDS. The goals are centered on the need to increase socialization, as well as providing a forum where residents could voice their needs and wants for themselves and as a group within the facility. Members are encouraged to share information and resources with one another to help promote longer and healthier lifestyles. “Ideally, this would be a place where they could begin to develop strong social ties that would last during their stay at the facility,” says Erin McGarry, social worker and group facilitator.
“What in the world is a Silver Fox?” you might ask. To substantiate the ideals of the group, the members placed great importance on the name of the group, as a matter of fact, the agenda for the first session of this group included voting on a name. “The name is extremely important,” one member remarked. “The name shall identify us as a strong voice, as well as describe our mission and goals.” After much thought and debate, the name was proudly announced. “Silver Foxes,” which suggests older age - silver is associated with gray hair - and cunningness - foxes are associated with cleverness. There was definitely a sense of pride exuding from the members as they voted and agreed upon this new name.

“This group is different from other AIDS support groups because we not only provide the latest information about HIV/AIDS, but provide information and support for the aging process,” Ms. McGarry states. Aging topics discussed at group meetings include social contacts, advance directives, reducing stress, cognitive and memory exercises and computer training. These are in addition to important topics dealing with HIV/AIDS such as latest medications available, treatment adherence, awareness and education.

As the population of HIV/AIDS continues to age and more “older adults” are living with the disease, social workers must tune-in and become sensitive to their unique set of needs and issues. The Silver Foxes experience confirms that support groups allow open dialogues around their unique issues, enhance levels of socialization, affirms their identity, establishes social network, and achieves the goal of mutual support in the group. Consequently, these older adults have the opportunity to attain better quality of life while “growing old and living with HIV/AIDS.”

Rivington House is one component of Village Care of New York’s Network of AIDS Services. For the person living with HIV/AIDS, the Network of AIDS Services offers unique, and complete care. Whatever the stage of the disease, the Network has a care offering to match each individual’s needs. And as those needs change, persons in our care move into the appropriate Network offering, receiving the right level and intensity of care in the setting that is best for them. Village Care offers many programs and services for clients who are HIV positive and over the age of 50. These programs include day treatment programs, a nursing home, a senior living residence and a diagnostic and treatment center.