HIV and Ageing Conference
To mark 30 years of supporting people living with HIV in the West of Ireland, AIDS West are to host an international conference focusing on ‘HIV & Ageing’ on World AIDS Day, Friday December 1 at The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway.
The Conference will discuss many aspects of HIV, including: HIV and Ageing – A Medical Perspective; Sex and relationships - Maintaining an active sex life as we age; HIV and Ageing – A personal experience; and HIV and the Continuum of Care.
This event is for people living with HIV and their families and friends, GPs, Nurses and all frontline healthcare staff and sexual health staff who work with and support people living with HIV. In addition: researchers, community organisations, drug services, counselling services, policy makers and commissioners, community leaders, community advocates and others with strong professional interest in HIV and ageing are welcome to attend.
Talking about the early days of AIDS West when it was set up in 1987, Manager Joe McDonagh, says: “Those were the bad days and a time when people weren’t able to deal with the disease and the trauma around most aspects of it. Medication was toxic (especially AZT) and stigma and discrimination was rife, with misinformation and ignorance leading to many people keeping their diagnosis quiet. But we got through these days and now we are in a situation where, with good medication, most positive people are living long and healthy lives and can expect to live as long, if not longer, than people who are not infected. Current figures suggest a life expectancy up to 75 years.”
Attendance at the conference is free and tickets can be booked at
eventbrite.ie.