People who are 50 years and older and living with HIV experience higher rates of cardiovascular and kidney disease, neurocognitive disorders, and osteoporosis than their HIV-negative counterparts. Siempre Unidos received a grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc. to develop, implement, and disseminate medical and psychological protocols for enhanced care of this vulnerable patient population.

The grant funds related activities including home visits to 126 patients, workshops on health topics for patients and caregivers, and skills-building trainings. Regularly convened support groups – seen in the photo of Pascual and patients – strengthen social bonds and help mitigate loneliness and depression. “This is a photo of our Siguatepeque (city) support group. Those who are a part of this initiative feel so, so happy and so do I,” wrote Pascual.