People Living With HIV: Implications for Rehabilitation Nurses

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present a brief overview of challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLHIV) as they age, to discuss the relevance of HIV to rehabilitation nurses, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for rehabilitation professionals working with PLHIV. Design: Current issues article. Methods: Literature review related to age-related comorbidities in PLHIV with implications for rehabilitation nurses. Findings: Rehabilitation nurses must be prepared to address issues specific to people living with HIV including sensitivity and privacy regarding HIV status and increased risk of delayed or complicated healing. Rehabilitation nurses should also promote self-management behavior to optimize health in people living with HIV. Conclusions: Understanding unique characteristics of PLHIV as well as applying focused assessment and tailored interventions in PLHIV will give rehabilitation nurses the tools to successfully guide PLHIV through the rehabilitation process and optimize clinical outcomes. Clinical Relevance: As people with HIV age and experience acute and chronic comorbidities, they will require the clinical expertise of rehabilitation nurses in the process to successfully transition through acute and subacute health care and regain function.