Older people are the fastest growing group in the UK with HIV. Their numbers will double over the next five years. Treatment advances are now keeping people alive into old age – but what quality of life can they look forward to, and how can it be improved?

50 Plus is the first dedicated national research into the needs and concerns of older people with HIV. In 2009, THT (working with Age UK and funded by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation) surveyed 410 people with HIV aged 50 and over, and then interviewed 40 of them in depth. This was done through MBARC, a research company who trained and involved peer community researchers and with the guidance of a Community Advisory Panel including people with HIV, researchers and clinicians.

50 Plus shows that older people with HIV are disadvantaged in a wide range of ways – from poorer health, to social care and housing problems and significant financial disadvantage compared to their peers. The research also describes hopes and fears for the future, including major concerns about health and social care and money. This merits attention from HIV organisations, age-related organisations and health and social care professionals.

The full results of the research, including all the data tables, will be published in the Autumn here and the formal report will be on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. They will also be sent to all the participants who asked to be kept informed. Currently, the summary findings paper is available, as is the Literature Review which informed the active research.