HIV/AIDS - Understanding the Illness

Outline:
Hour One I. Introduction to HIV/AIDS: Understanding the Illness a. Course description i. Checkpoint ii. Course objectives b. Professional caregiving and HIV/AIDS i. Being informed vs. misinformed c. HIV/AIDS — definitions i. HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1. What is HIV? ii. AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome 1. What is AIDS? II. How the Immune System Works a. Macrophages b. Antigens c. Helper T-cells d. B-cells e. Antibodies f. Suppressor T-cells g. Check point one: matching exercise h. HIV and the immune response III. Epidemiology a. Origination of HIV virus b. History and prevalence i. Worldwide ii. Incidence in U.S. iii. Who is affected by HIV/AIDS? IV. Living with HIV/AIDS a. Stigma b. Exposure c. Case scenario: A 72-year-old man named Bill shows symptoms of HIV/AIDS in a care setting. d. Checkpoint two: multiple choice question with engagements V. HIV Infection in the Older Adult a. Identification i. Early vs. late symptoms ii. Misidentification iii. Prevalence iv. Late testing v. Specific signs and symptoms vi. How HIV affects the body 1. AIDS syndrome 2. Other complications vii. Checkpoint three: multiple choice and true/false questions viii. Stages of HIV/AIDS 1. Window period/primary infection 2. Asymptomatic period/latent infection 3. Progression of HIV to AIDS b. Treatment c. Case scenario: Seventy-two-year-old Bill is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. d. HIV on the rise among older adults i. Cultural barriers ii. Lack of early identification = less life expectancy VI. Providing Care for Older Adults with HIV/AIDS a. Investigate concerns b. Ask about HIV/AIDS c. Try alternative approaches d. Case scenario: psychosocial issues related to Bill’s diagnosis e. Checkpoint four: multiple choice and fill in the blank questions VII. HIV Transmission and Standard Precautions a. Learn the facts i. Common means of transmission 1. Chain of infection 2. Unprotected sex 3. Sharing needles 4. From mother to baby: pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding 5. Blood products 6. Accidental contact: needle sticks, infected fluids 7. Sharing personal care items 8. Other risk factors 9. People engaging in dangerous behaviors b. Practice Standard Precautions i. Misconceptions about transmission ii. Transmission occurs through direct contact iii. Prevent opportunistic infections 1. What you should do/don’t put others at risk when sick 2. Sneezing 3. Spreading germs 4. Harmful activities iv. Observe basic precautions v. Case scenario: what to do when there is infectious material — Bill’s bleeding hand and the appropriate caregiving response. 1. When blood is present 2. Provide first aid 3. Clean up the spill a. Cleaning procedure 4. Proper disposal vi. Standard precaution review 1. What are standard precautions? 2. Carrying out specific precautions: a. Handwashing b. Gloves c. Skin protection d. Protective clothing e. Eyewear f. Clean up after spills 3. Level of exposure 4. Common sense 5. Bleach solution c. Other Ways to Prevent the Spread of HIV/AIDS i. Testing 1. Home test kits VIII. Course summary and conclusion a. Supportive caregiving for people with HIV/AIDS i. Show that you care ii. Be compassionate and listen iii. Practice what you have learned

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. Disclosure: Sharon K. Brothers, MSW has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.

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. Disclosure: Catherine Zimmerman, LICSW, ACHP-SW, CSW-G has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.