ABSTRACT
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was first reported in 1981, and in 1983 the virus causing AIDS was identified. AIDS-a syndrome of
immunodeficiency affecting primarily the CD4þ lymphocytes-has a wide spectrum of disease manifestations. It has gone from a disease in which the life span averaged 10 years to a more chronic disease with increasing prevalence (1). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been known to affect primarily younger individuals and most research has addressed the needs of this group; however, HIV is becoming increasingly known as a cause of morbidity and death in the older population. The aging of the population makes AIDS more likely to be encountered in individuals aged 65 years and older. With the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the aging of the population, the numbers of HIV infections are likely to increase in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) (1,2). HIV infection in the nursing home population involves significant psychosocial issues, and special considerations for rehabilitation, may present with atypical clinical manifestations, and may be associated with comorbidities that may affect therapy.
