Thrive Project: A community-driven investigation of the home and community care needs of older adults living with HIV

Over the past two decades, with the advent of modern HIV treatment and a robust provincial HIV strategy across British Columbia (BC), people living with HIV (PLHIV) are now living longer, healthier lives. This has contributed to a significant demographic shift, with individuals 50 years and older now making up more than half of all PLHIV engaged in care in BC. While the aging cohort of PLHIV represents positive strides in the fight against HIV, it also necessitates an evaluation of whether health care services for older adults in the province are adequately supporting the expanding cohort of older PLHIV. This is especially pertinent given the complex physiological, psychosocial and age-related challenges experienced by older adults living with HIV. Home and community care (HCC) services, such as in-home nursing services, community care, and case management, that are responsive to the unique needs of older PLHIV have the potential to appropriately address the evolving landscape of age-related health concerns while simultaneously ensuring a high standard of care. However, evidence suggests older PLHIV are often unable to access HCC, leaving them to rely on accessing hospitals and urgent care facilities for primary care services. In this 3-year study we will undertake a comprehensive community-based research project to measure trends in healthcare utilization and health outcomes among older PLHIV, document the experiences of older PLHIV accessing HCC supports, and use novel service access mapping approaches to spatially characterize the health and ancillary care use of older PLHIV. We also aim to identify potential strategies to overcome barriers to accessing HCC services. To employ this knowledge, we will work alongside community partners and healthcare stakeholders to develop interventions that will improve health outcomes and support older PLHIV.