HIV/AIDS - The Elder's Experience

Course Code: REL-PAC-0-EE

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 12/31/2024

Learning Objectives:
Identify special considerations for the elderly person with HIV/AIDS.
Encourage healthy habits that can make a significant difference in the life of the elderly person with HIV/AIDS.
Provide care for the elderly person living with HIV/AIDS.
Understand the progression of the disease toward death.
Review the typical human response to dying and the notion of death.

Outline:
Hour One I. Introduction to HIV/AIDS: The Older Adult’s Experience A. Course Description 1. Checkpoint 2. Course objectives B. HIV/AIDS Overview 1. HIV/AIDS terms 2. Origination of HIV/AIDS 3. HIV/AIDS and the older adult 4. Why be a knowledgeable caregiver? 5. How HIV works 6. Transmission of HIV a. Window period b. Asymptomatic stage c. Opportunistic infections d. Progression of HIV into AIDS e. Treatment C. Checkpoint One: Multiple-choice questions II. Special Populations at Risk for HIV/AIDS A. Case scenario: Introduction to Jordan, a 72-year-old man who tests positive for the HIV virus B. Cultural and other barriers 1. High-risk groups for contracting HIV/AIDS a. Homosexual men b. Substance use c. Women d. Racial and ethnic minorities 2. Stigma a. Case Scenario: Learning more about Jordan’s experience b. Widespread discrimination c. Homophobia 3. Special considerations for older adults a. Lack of information and testing b. Social isolation c. Treatment i. Active antiretroviral therapy ii. Case scenario: Jordan’s physician starts him on antiretroviral medications d. Life expectancy with late diagnosis C. Checkpoint Two: Multiple-choice questions III. Caring for a Person with HIV/AIDS A. Promote healthy habits 1. Change unhealthy habits 2. Healthy eating 3. Exercise 4. Safe sexual practices 5. Rest 6. Staying connected 7. Promote mental and physical activity 8. Reduce stress 9. Adhere to treatment regimen 10. Monitor for changes in condition B. What else might be considered? 1. Consistent routines 2. Responsiveness 3. Healthcare privacy a. Confidentiality b. Handling questions 4. Encourage independence 5. Environmental considerations 6. Monitor skin integrity C. Checkpoint Three: True/false and multiple-choice questions D. Promote psychosocial health 1. Understanding psychosocial issues a. Increased stress b. Impaired mental health c. Less Resiliency d. Fear/Anxiety 2. Promote coping skills a. Resilience b. Disease coping c. Practical coping d. Emotional coping e. Counseling and spiritual support E. Checkpoint Four: multiple-choice questions IV. Palliative and End-of-Life Care for a Person with HIV/AIDS A. Advance care planning 1. Goals of care 2. Advance directives a. Power of attorney 3. Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) B. Home visits C. Final affairs D. Checkpoint Five: multiple-choice questions E. Family care F. Talking about dying G. Referral for hospice care H. Caregiving at end of life: the dying process 1. Caregiver experience 2. End-of-life changes and symptoms 3. Increase safe care and supervision 4. Stopping intake and oral hygiene 5. Withdrawal: be responsive when the person is awake 6. Restlessness: provide gentle orientation 7. Changes in circulation 8. Changes in breathing I. When death happens 1. Indicators of death 2. Feelings after death 3. Grief and mourning V. Course summary and conclusion

Instructor: Catherine Zimmerman, LICSW, ACHP-SW, CSW-G

Catherine Zimmerman is a licensed independent clinical social worker who has a private practice providing counseling services to people of all ages and all stages of their lives. She is a freelance healthcare writer and speaker specializing in mental health, ethics, hospice and palliative care, gerontological topics, substance misuse, caregiving, stress and trauma.  Zimmerman received her master's degree from Portland State University thirty years ago and is certified in clinical social work-Gerontology. Zimmerman supervises and mentors therapists seeking licensure in Oregon or Washington states. She is the current President of the Washington chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and has provided public presentations on over twenty topics and has numerous published works.

Instructor: Sharon K. Brothers, MSW

Sharon Brothers, MSW, has an advanced degree in social work and over 30 years' experience as an owner, operator and educator in senior care. She has been a developer, owner and operator of dementia care assisted living communities and has deep expertise as an educator for all levels of staff within the care profession. Sharon is currently the founder and CEO of the Institute for Professional Care Education and is a national speaker and advocate for quality education within senior care.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.