Support for older people with HIV receives federal funding

The Federal Government has announced $320,000 in funding over four years to support people 50 years and older living with HIV in Victoria.

The funding will go to support Senior Voices, a project from Living Positive Victoria to provide training and development for older people living with HIV to better inform aged care service providers about the needs of HIV-positive people in Victoria.

Advocate for people living with HIV David Menadue OAM said the project helps challenge negative stereotypes associated with living with HIV.

“Older people often have higher levels of social isolation and this is no different for people living with HIV,” he said.

“This project not only provides a service to the community and the aged care service sector; it will overcome the apprehension of aged care staff, their lack of knowledge about HIV and their misplaced fears in caring for HIV Positive residents.”

Senior Voices is part of Living Positive Victoria’s Positive Speakers Bureau, an initiative to facilitate HIV-positive people to engage with the broader community on HIV and AIDS-related issues.

The program supports the government’s National LGBTI Ageing and Aged Care Strategy, launched in December last year to ensure better access to sensitive aged care information and service for older LGBTI Australians.