Older people are shouldering a growing burden as the incidence of HIV infection increases rapidly in Vietnam. Older people affected by HIV and AIDS, especially those caring for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) or orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), face a variety of economic, physical, social and psychological challenges.

But little is known about older people’s contribution and the impact of HIV and AIDS on their lives, and few programmes seek to specifically address these challenges.

Since 2005 HelpAge International has been working with the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and other local partners to establish and build the capacity of self-help clubs for people affected by HIV and AIDS.

Aims

• To improve the health and livelihoods of those affected by HIV and AIDS and reduce the risk of HIV infection, particularly among high risk groups.
• To build the capacity of local partners, community-based organisations, local service providers, and poor and disadvantaged older people affected by HIV and AIDS.
• To ensure older people are included in, and supported by, programmes tackling the impact of HIV and AIDS through advocacy activities.

Activities

The "empathy clubs for older people" encourage the active involvement of affected older people. These clubs enable members to meet in a supportive atmosphere to share their experiences and concerns, and develop practical initiatives to address their needs.

67 clubs are operating in four provinces: Hanoi, Nam Dinh, Quang Ninh, and Thai Nguyen. Each club has a member-elected management board and aims to have 50-60 members. Ideally the membership is made up of at least 70% older people, 70% women and 70% people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS, or higher risk groups such as injecting drug users. Younger people and those not affected by HIV/AIDS are also encouraged to join.

Club activities include:

• Promoting homecare for PLWHA and access to antriretroviral treatment, condoms, clean needles and other medication.
• Raising community awareness about HIV prevention, the impact of HIV and AIDS on older people and their role and contribution.
• Providing training on HIV prevention and caring for PLWHA.
• Providing regular health check-ups and promoting self-care.
• Visiting sick club members and older people affected by HIV and AIDS.
• Providing microcredit loans and training for livelihood activities.
• Counselling PLWHA and higher risk individuals and connecting them with existing local services.
• Providing educational and material support for OVC, such as school books.

The project also seeks to develop the capacity of clubs to lobby for increased resources and services from government authorities, mass organisations, communities and individuals.

Achievements

• Increased access to credit and regular income has improved older people's livelihoods.
• Older people have been empowered to lead support activities for PLWHA and OVC, and communities empowered to lead HIV care and prevention initiatives.
• Reduced HIV and AIDS-related stigma and discrimination within communities and families.
• Increased awareness about the role and contribution of older people in caring for and supporting PLWHA and OVC.
• Increased access to antiretroviral treatment for PLWHA and support for affected family members.
• Strengthened linkages and collaboration between affected communities, mass organisations, local government agencies and businesses.
• Advocacy work has contributed to policy change at the national level. The Vietnam Administration of HIV/AIDS Control (VAAC) has begun collecting HIV infection data on people aged 50 and over, and cash transfers have been introduced for children living with HIV in poor households.  

Lessons learnt

• Ensuring a regular source of income for families affected by HIV or AIDS is critical in helping them overcome the challenges they face.
• People living with and affected by HIV are responsible borrowers, with loan repayment rates as high as any other group.
• Older people are keen to join clubs providing mutual sharing and support and benefit greatly from this support in looking after a PLWHA and OVC.
• Collaboration among different groups and the integration of economic, health, education and social support is important.

The future

Planned activites include:

• Building the capacity of clubs to fundraise effectively.
• Increasing access to microcredit loans from sources outside of the project.
• Documenting and disseminating information about project activities and achievements.
• Establishing a network to promote and coordinate club activities.
• Lobbying policy makers to encourage ongoing funding of club activities and replication of the project in other areas.

Partners

Vietnam’s Women’s Union
Vietnam Association of the Elderly
STDs/HIV/AIDS Prevention Centre
Research Centre on Ageing Support
Thai Nguyen Medical College
Quang Ninh Women’s Union