Surviving and Thriving: Older Gay Men and MSM Living with HIV

In NYS, more than 35% of people living with HIV are gay men or men who have sex with men (MSM). The National HIV/AIDS strategy established the goal of increasing the proportion of HIV-diagnosed gay and bisexual men with undetectable viral load by 20%. This one-day training will prepare non-physician health and human services providers to support older gay men and MSM with retention in medical care, achieving viral suppression and promoting behaviors that will prevent transmission of HIV to their partners.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall NYS-specific data which demonstrate the disproportionate impact of HIV on older gay men and MSM living with HIV/AIDS;
• Define retention in HIV care and viral suppression and explore specific challenges for older gay men and MSM;
• Define high impact HIV prevention and explore implications for older MSM;
• Recall how experiences related to “coming out”, stigma, social isolation,  presence or absence of family/ peer support and co-morbidities can impact participation in health care and prevention;
• Discuss options for health insurance coverage for older adults living with HIV;
• List the ways a provider can support or enhance a client’s personal and social assets to ensure linkage to care, retention in care and treatment adherence.

Pre-Requisite:

It is strongly recommended that participants have previous training in basic HIV and have taken the following AIDS Institute training: “Overview of HIV Infection and AIDS” (training offered at www.hivtrainingny.org) and have attended the training “Working with Older Adults Living with HIV.”

Target Audience:

Non-physician health and human services providers who work with clients/ patients with HIV including case managers, health home care managers and coordinators, social workers, client services staff and others.

Continuing Education Credits: This training is provided under New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider Certification Number 0305. Under the NYS OASAS Provider Certificate, this training is approved for 6.5 clock hours toward the education and training requirements for renewal of CASAC/CPP/CPS certification.