About NAHOF
The National Association on HIV Over Fifty (NAHOF) was founded at the National Conference on AIDS and Aging in October of 1995 in New York City. Our mission is to promote the availability of a full range of educational, prevention, service and health care programs for persons over age fifty affected by HIV.
People over age fifty are affected by HIV in numerous ways. People in their mid or later years may be infected with HIV, the virus associated with AIDS. Ten percent of all AIDS cases are persons age fifty and up, a quarter of these are over age 60. Older women appear to have higher incidence rates than older men, and persons of color are especially at risk.
AIDS and HIV affect families, both traditional and families of choice. Increasingly older adults care for relatives and friends infected with HIV. Many adults with HIV turn to older parents for help and care. Increasingly grandparents are substitute parents for their grandchildren whose own parents are unable to care for their children due to HIV-related needs. Many of these are "AIDS orphans" and grandparents have stepped in to be full or part time caregivers for the children; middle-age and older adults with adult children may need emotional support.
Principles
Education... HIV prevention programs are needed that encourage middle aged and older adults to take steps to protect themselves from HIV. Persons of mid to later years are also effective resources to teach others about HIV. Education must be culturally sensitive to different ethnic, racial and cultural groups and to people of differing sexual orientations.
Communication... NAHOF is a forum to exchange information and share concerns and issues about HIV and the older adult. Fifty-plus people along with their care and service providers need accurate literature and educational programs, sensitive to varying educational and cultural backgrounds. NAHOF's communication network shares resources, exchanges information, and participates in regional and national meetings.
Inclusion... HIV affects people of all ages, races and cultures. People over age 50 from communities of color must deal with oppression and racism in their own and larger communities, compounded by ageism and fear of HIV. NAHOF recognizes the need to reach out and provide access to all affected by HIV. Support... Persons over age fifty with HIV need care services tailored to their dual needs as persons living with HIV in their middle or later years. We work toward nondiscrimination in existing aging and HIV programs as well as specially tailored support services. Advocacy... NAHOF advocates to include people in middle and later life in legislation and program directions. NAHOF addresses issues of Ageism in the HIV community as well as the lack commitment to address HIV issues in the aging service network. NAHOF seeks to address these concerns with policy makers and funders.
Membership
NAHOF membership is open to people infected by HIV and their health providers, caregivers, researchers, educators and advocates.
NAHOF members will receive up-to-date information about new development relating to HIV and persons over age 50, as new information emerges. NAHOF members make informative conduct educational programs at regional and national meetings. NAHOF collaborates with national organizations to insure the needs of HIV affected persons over age 50 are addressed.
