Today HIV and AIDS charity Crusaid reports a dramatic increase in applications for financial assistance from adults over 50 years-old affected by HIV and AIDS experiencing extreme poverty.

Published: 23/11/2009

 "The Crusaid Hardship Fund has supported people with an HIV diagnosis and in poverty for over 20 years.  As the socio-economic landscape of the UK has changed during this time, so too has the demographic of those in need and approaching the Crusaid Hardship Fund for support.  One such group which is growing daily are those people who have been diagnosed for many years and are now experiencing the extra challenges associated with getting older," said Steven Inman, Head of Programmes and Partnerships.

Older people, who've become infected, tend to fall into the category known as 'long term survivors'. These individuals were young people at a time when HIV and AIDS emerged. The Crusaid Hardship Fund has supported many people who once thought that they faced the very real prospect of dying before the end of the 1980s  when very little was known about the illness; let alone any hope of scientific intervention to deliver life-saving drugs.

These individuals sold their properties and enjoyed life, often on the advice of medical experts, anticipating that they would be dead in a couple of year's time. However, the development of the first anti-retrovirals in the early to mid 1990s, meant that many survived but subsequently found themselves penniless and without work, a home or often even peer support because so many of their friends has passed away.

Many of the people who followed this advice are alive and quite well, a decade or two on, but living in destitution with little or no income, in rented accommodation and approaching pension-able age, in relative poverty.

In the first two financial quarters of 2009/2010, the Crusaid hardship Fund has been called on to support the needs of a growing number of individuals living with an HIV diagnosis, in dire poverty and over the age of 50.  Many of these individuals have not been able to work for the past 15 years due to their HIV health and as such have had no ability to save for the onset of old age and the extra costs associated with this.

 "I was diagnosed when I was 46 years old and was told by my doctor I had less than a year to live.  I used my savings to enjoy life and help friends.  17 years on, most of my friends have gone, I have no savings and to compound my HIV I am also severely arthritic and almost housebound.  The Crusaid Hardship Fund has bought me a new specialist bed but I am very worried about what the future holds for me," said John, a 63 year old client of the Crusaid Hardship Fund.

Crusaid receives no government funding and relies solely on the donations from its supporters and on the income from its events such as the Crusaid Walk for Life and its various fundraising campaigns. Most recently, Crusaid launched its THINK. TALK. ACT. GIVE!  campaign ahead of World AIDS Day World AIDS Day. Backed by various celebrities such as Joanna Lumley, Lisa Snowdon, Lisa Snowdon, Paul O'Grady and Theo Walcott the campaign aims to raise vital awareness of HIV and AIDS issues and fundraise to support the charities work around alleviating HIV and AIDS-related poverty here in the UK and internationally.

In the UK alone there are over 70,000 people affected by HIV and AIDS and an estimated 25,000 are unaware of their diagnosis. Although most people living in the UK with HIV and AIDS are living longer and healthier lives because of the medication available, there is still a lack of support for those that find themselves in poverty.  As the number of people in desperate need increase, organisations which offer help and hope to them, such as Crusaid, will require even more funding to do so in the future.

"With a growing increase in vulnerable clients needing support from the Crusaid Hardship Fund, the need for funds is greater than ever before. A small grant to support a person's future may seem insignificant but is a lifeline with far-reaching impact providing good health, security, hope and dignity to some of societies most vulnerable members.

"Supporting vulnerable people today is an investment in the future of our society.  If the global economic meltdown has taught us anything, it is that none of us can be complacent and say these things only happen to other people," said Chief Executive, Jordan Hay.

http://www.crusaid.org.uk/news_public_detail.php?ID=7