HIV-positive women over fifty: how they cope.

Healthcare providers may not understand the special issues and needs of older persons with HIV. This article directs particular attention to the unique reactions of older women to an HIV-positive diagnosis. Through their participation in a support group, some older HIV-positive women have been able to adapt to their illness with a variety of coping styles. Illustrations of the ways these women meet challenges both individually and as a group are presented. The article concludes with simple messages from the women to the members of the medical community.