The population of people aged 50 and over represents a significant proportion of people living with HIV in Western nations. While the number of older people living with HIV is rapidly increasing in Canada, research originating in this country remains relatively scarce. This article therefore proposes to describe the impact of the intersection of HIV and ageing on the identities and lived experiences of people living with HIV of 50 and over (PLHIV50+), both on an individual and social level, in order to offer a picture of their lived experience. Using a phenomenological approach, nine semi-structured individual interviews with PLHIV50+ (men and women) were undertaken. Data analysis identified several central themes which constituted the essence of their experience of the intersection of HIV and ageing, such as the experience of premature ageing, the impact of HIV on intergenerational relationships, the shrinking of one's social network, rejection experienced by the older population, a difficult return to work and a deterioration in living conditions. The results of this research highlight the many challenges faced by PLHIV50+, on physical, relational, work and economic levels. Even though some of the problems faced by PLHIV50+ were related to the experience of corporal changes and a deterioration of health, our research was able to highlight the societal and structural factors underlying the stigma of HIV and ageing.

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Using an adapted phenomenological approach, the current study explores older women's stories about the ways in which providing care to their spouse or partner has affected their sexual and intimate lives. Findings suggest that older women's sexual identities and experiences of sexuality are marked by both ageist constructions of ''older woman as asexual'' and loss of self associated with taking on the role of caregiver. Findings also suggest that women resist these constructions of self through the development of other forms of intimacy in their lives. Suggestions for increasing opportunities to address women's realities in service provision are highlighted.

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Medical and social science research on older adults living with HIV (OAHIV) has shed light on the significant health needs and the many psychosocial difficulties experienced by this population. Despite the obvious need for health and social care services among OAHIV, few studies have addressed their experiences with regard to these resources. This study attempts to identify the challenges, difficulties and gaps found within social and health services intended for those located at the intersection of HIV and aging. Using a qualitative methodology, this study explores the perspectives of both older adults living with HIV (OAHIV) and their healthcare providers in order to document gaps in service delivery. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 participants, including 38 OAHIV and 12 healthcare providers working with this population. Analysis was undertaken to identify themes related to challenges at individual and structural levels of practice. Several challenges were identified including; a) within the individual healthcare encounter with HIV specialists, b) accessing non-HIV related health services, and c) a lack of psychosocial resources, HIV community resources and residential resources addressing the intersection of HIV and aging. Interpreting our results through the theoretical lens of intersectionality helped identify transversal problems associated with the intersection of HIV and aging including inadequacy of resources and discrimination. Recommendations for changes to policy and practice are highlighted.

Older adults living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk of experiencing difficulties in their intimate lives due to the combined effects of HIV and ageing. To date, little research has focused on the lived experience of sexuality. This article seeks to fill in the gap by documenting the challenges faced by this population with respect to their intimate relationships and sexual lives. Based upon the results of a qualitative study conducted in Montreal (2010–2012) using semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample of 38 people aged 50–73 and living with HIV, this study revealed several difficulties, including those related to their social location, whereby HIV and ageing intersect with other social determinants (including gender, sexual orientation and drug use). Difficulties that were identified include lower sexual desire linked to ageing, erectile changes, difficulty in using condoms, stigma related to HIV and/or ageism, changes in appearance caused by HIV and/or ageing, along with the impact of their lifecourse experiences. Our results shed light on the specific nature of the difficulties experienced by older adults living with HIV with regard to their intimate lives, as well as on the importance of using an analysis that combines the theoretical approaches of intersectionality and lifecourse to enhance our capacity for understanding complex and unique experiences.

This article reports the findings of an exploratory study examining service provider perceptions and experiences of addressing sexuality and intimacy with women spousal caregivers. The caregiver-provider encounter is examined, and challenges faced by service providers in addressing sexuality are considered. Themes identified include ambivalence and discomfort, personal and institutional barriers, meanings attributed to sexuality and intimacy, and lack of opportunities to discuss experiences. Strategies to overcome silence and invisibility on the part of service providers in the health and social services system are considered.

Les personnes vivant avec le VIH sont considérées comme « âgées » dès l’âge de 50 ans en raison du vieillissement physique prématuré qu’elles subissent. Compte tenu de l’âgisme qui prévaut dans les sociétés occidentales, on peut se demander comment les personnes vivant avec le VIH de 50 ans et plus (PVVIH50+) perçoivent leur vieillissement physique. S’appuyant sur des entrevues réalisées avec 38 PVVIH50+, cet article se propose d’explorer leur expérience du vieillissement à travers trois dimensions, à savoir le vieillissement physique, le sentiment de vieillir et le rapport au vieillissement. L’analyse des données révèle que le vieillissement revêt à la fois un caractère négatif et positif pour les PVVIH50+. Si, comme la population générale, elles tentent de s’en distancier et peinent parfois à l’accepter, le parcours relié au VIH peut en revanche teinter le vieillissement d’une valeur positive, puisque vieillir signifie être encore en vie.Individuals living with HIV are considered “elderly” as early as age 50, due to the premature physical ageing they undergo. Given the widespread ageism in western societies, it can be wondered how people living with HIV aged 50 and over (PLHIV50+) perceive their own physical ageing. In this article, based on 38 in-depth interviews conducted with PLHIV50+, the experience of ageing will be explored through three dimensions, namely the physical ageing, the feeling of ageing, and the attitudes toward ageing. Data analysis shows that perceptions about ageing are both negative and positive among PLHIV50+. Indeed, as it is observed in the general population, PLHIV50+ try to distance themselves from age and have sometimes trouble accepting it, but their experience of HIV can however bring a positive value to age, as growing old means being still alive