HIV and AIDS are having devastating and under-reported economic, social, physical and psychological effects on older women and men.

They have to care and provide for those who are ill and orphaned, and are themselves susceptible to HIV infection.

There is an urgent need for research and action to support older people in their critical roles in household and community survival.

• 90% of AIDS care is provided at home, often by older women.
• Up to two-thirds of people living with AIDS are cared for by their parents in their 60s and 70s.
• Over 60% of orphaned children live in households headed by their grandparents in highly affected countries.
• Older people are not targeted with information or training on HIV and AIDS as they are often presumed to be no longer sexually active and are therefore at low risk.
• Data on HIV prevalence among the over-50s is limited as data collection focuses on 15-49-year-olds.

Caring for their adult children and orphaned grandchildren places financial, social and emotional strains on older people, and deepens their poverty.

HelpAge International undertakes a range of programmes (see case studies) to support older people who are affected by AIDS, whether as carers, educators or at risk of HIV infection themselves.

Our interventions are community-based and take an intergenerational approach. We promote inclusive programming through participation and consultation and recognise the rights of all people, including older people, orphans and those who are sick, poor and vulnerable.

We are a member of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, which works with other partners to raise the profile of the care burden that HIV and AIDS are placing on women of all ages in families and communities.

We are also a signatory of Renewing our voice: Code of good practice for NGOs responding to HIV/AIDS, a shared vision of principles for good practice in programming and advocacy that guides our work.