-
Home
-
Living with HIV
-
Newly Diagnosed
- Living with HIV
Living with HIV
Living with HIV (8)
Thanks to current available treatments, people with HIV are now living longer and with better quality of life than ever before. If you are living with HIV, it's important for you to have the information necessary to keep you healthy.
After the initial shock of a positive diagnosis you’ll find yourself thinking about how to live again. The information in the sections below may help answer your questions. If you cannot find what you’re looking for please contact us. We will either find the information, or get you in contact with someone or an organization that can.
Of course, always talk to your health practitioner about any questions and concerns you may have.
Things are definitely different now with all of the new treatments, new research and options available for people living with HIV. PHAs are planning families and managing the ups and downs that come with parenting. Below are a few online resources that may be of use if you decide being a parent is in your future. We have great information around ‘Disclosure on School & Day Care’ and ‘Disclosure, Privacy & Parenting’ at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network. They are available as downloadable pamphlets.
http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/kyr/
Disclosure on School & Day Care’ and ‘Disclosure, Privacy & Parenting’ at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/pregnancy
You can have a healthy pregnancy if you are HIV positive, developed by CATIE in partnership with the Voices of Positive Network
http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-20000s/26314.pdf
Pregnancy Planning Information for HIV+ Women & Their Partners
http://librarypdf.catie.ca/PDF/ATI-20000s/26320.pdf
Pregnancy Planning Information for HIV+ Men & Their Partners
Living with a chronic illness is not easy and requires lots of extra work and planning. That can lead to lots of stress, or even depression and anxiety. We understand that not everyone around you knows what you are going through, so it can be of help to talk with others living with HIV. We have various programs that may assist you and help you to get in touch with others also living with HIV. We also provide a supportive ear when needed.
There are some great online resources on Emotional Wellbeing. Check out Chapter 6 of the `Managing Your Health: a guide for people living with HIV' developed by CATIE, which focuses on emotional health, or the Canadian AIDS Society resource: 'Talking about Depression, Anxiety & HIV'.
http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/managing-your-health/6
Managing Your Health: a guide for people living with HIV
https://www.cdnaids.ca/wp-content/uploads/Talking-About-Depression.pdf
Talking about Depression, Anxiety & HIV developed by the Canadian AIDS Society is a step by step resource that walks people living with HIV through with tips and even assessment tools.
Positive Women
The AIDS Coalition what to acknowledge the erasure of women from our history as it pertains to HIV activism. Despite often being at the front of many movements, women were left behind as progress was being made and support were being established, as they still are when we consider HIV/AIDS "a gay men's disease." We will continue to work to bring awareness to the importance of a history of HIV activism that includes women and work to support women at risk of and living with HIV.
Support
The large majority of the work we already do is open to our female clients and our support programs for those living with HIV apply to any and all genders. Our support groups have historically been gendered in a binary fashion; though they are currently inactive, this is subject to further change. If you would like peer support, we encourage you to contact our support services coordinator, who can be found in the staff directory or below.
The needs of women living with HIV will always differ to from other genders. Whether this is due to physicality, experiences of misogyny or general life expectations, we are here to help in any way you need. There is a lot of great information for positive women that speaks to the specific issues you are facing. We have a number of resources that we would like to share, including some physical resources in our office and some online resources. We can also help connect you to women-centred resources and supports outside of ACNS. If you do not find what you are looking for, please let us know. We’ll try to find it for you.
Chana Wielinga
Support Coordinator
902-403-7169 (phone+text)
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
https://whai.ca/resources/ (Resources from the Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative)
http://www.chiwos.ca/ (Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study)
*Some resources are available on this website, along with information about a women-centred HIV care model created as part of the CHIWOS study*
https://www.thebody.com/content/art44411.html (TheBody.com - HIV/AIDS Resource Center for Women)
https://hiveonline.org/for-you/women-living-with-hiv/
https://www.hivlegalnetwork.ca/site/women-and-hiv/?lang=en
https://ns.211.ca/services/emotional-support-helplines/womens-helpline/
If you have recently tested positive, or even if you have been living with HIV for a few years, the concept of relationships – from choosing a partner to friends and family knowing your HIV positive status – can be challenging. We also know that each situation is unique and working through relationship pathways is complex.
First and foremost, know that we are here to help and that you can contact us by phone or email to ask questions or to talk more about your particular concerns and situation. Sometimes it’s easier to map out possible scenarios with another person to help arrive at your best solution. We can help with other resources or referrals as well, if needed. Sometimes we all just need another person to hear our story.
Check Out: Living with HIV: Starting Points by Toronto People with AIDS Foundation & CATIE.
http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/starting-points
http://www.catie.ca/en/healthy-living/newly-diagnosed
Telling Others
People living with HIV often struggle to tell others about their status. Telling potential partners, family and friends all have unique challenges, based on your personal comfort level, fear of stigma (worry based on their lack of correct information), and perceptions that you might haveabout how others will respond to your news.You don’t have to tell everyone, and definitely not all at once. This is a very personal journey that you will take, and one that will be defined by you. There are some helpful things to know and lots of information out there that can help you.
http://positivelivingbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Disclosure_OnlineBooklet.pdf
Telling Someone You are Living with HIV: BC Positive Living
Partners & Serodiscordant Couples
People, especially those recently diagnosed, often talk about their fear of not having intimate relationships anymore, or that their partner will desert them, or the worry that if they do stay together that they will make the other“sick.” It’s not that there are no challenges, but they can be overcome.We see many people living with HIV who have long, loving, intimate relationships with people who are positive as well aspeople who are HIV-. A couple where one partner is negative and one is positive is referred to as “serodiscordant.” It sometimes may be a challenge, but it is possible to maintain that support, love and intimacy.
http://www.catie.ca/en/pif/spring-2015/hiv-prevention-within-serodiscordant-couples-changing-paradigm
(HIV Prevention Within Serodiscordant Couples: A Changing Paradigm by James Wilton at CATIE)
HIV Disclosure
Talking about HIV with others is never easy and disclosing your status to someone with whom you plan to be intimate is even more challenging.There are times when the law might say that you need to disclose your status, and there are times when you do not have to disclose – and when a request to do so would be an infringement on your rights.
We have put together the most current information on these topics for you to review.We know that it’s a tough thing to think about, and we hope that you will contact us to talk and help you explore these issues.We can also refer you to other organizations,or help to act as an advocate with you.
http://pwn.bc.ca/hiv-community/disclosing-your-hiv-status/hiv-disclosure-to-sex-partners/
Positive Women’s Network website Poz Women re-disclosure
http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/CriminalInfo2014_ENG.pdf
(Three fact sheets for people living with HIV on HIV Disclosure and the Law from the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network)
http://positivelivingbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Disclosure_OnlineBooklet.pdf
(Online booklet on talking with others about your HIV status from Positive Living BC, “Telling Someone You are Living with HIV”
http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Women_crim-ENG.pdf
(Fact Sheets on HIV Disclosure for Positive Women)
http://www.aidslaw.ca/site/kyr/
Disclosure pamphlet series
We can guess that you have clicked on this link for one of two reasons:
- You are currently waiting for HIV test results; or
- You have recently tested positive for HIV.
For many, this period can be stressful, and sometimes lonely if you feel you have no one to talk to. It’s important to have people to talk to about what you are going through.
You are not alone, many people living with HIV (PLHA) have talked about the struggle when first diagnosed that was related to their fears of being judged and stigmatized. PLHAs commonly talk about how their own personal feelings impacted their ability to reach out. We know that there is a lot of misinformation “out there” and that we still have work to do in the area of removing the stigma that is associated with HIV.
We want you to know that you are NOT alone, and we can help you explore how to build social supports that will work for you. You can call us anytime between 10am to 4pm weekdays. If you leave a message, let us know if we can call you back and what we should say if we do call back. Our phone number shows up as “unlisted” so no one where you live knows it’s us. Contact us by calling Chana Wielinga, Support Coordinator at 902-403-7169. You can also email Chana at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We’re here to help and support you.
What we hear most from those newly diagnosed, or going through the testing process, is that they fear for their long-term health, their life is over and that they will never be the same. We can tell you that a HIV+ diagnosis is not the end – people are living full lives, living longer than ever before, are working, planning families and more. With the right treatment and planning, as with any other illness, you can do well. The first step is reaching out.
We will help you through the process by providing support, education and referrals – the things we know best. For those who are newly diagnosed and are looking for more information on what to do and how to live well with HIV, great information can be found at CATIE, below
- http://www.catie.ca/en/healthy-living/newly-diagnosed
- http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/starting-points
- http://www.catie.ca/en/practical-guides/healthy-body
Starting Points is a great first step pamphlet originally from Toronto People with AIDS Foundation and later adapted by CATIE.
It is really good news to know that people living with HIV are living longer. We have moved beyond the point of not knowing what the future would bring to a place where HIV+ people are going back to work, planning retirement and working towards addressing other illnesses associated with aging. Sometimes it’s hard to make the distinction between new illnesses that are the result of HIV, a response to medications, interactions or simply the aging process.
The number of people 50 years and older who are HIV+ in Canada is expected to increase by 20% over the next decade. We also know that the number of people testing positive who are over 50 is also on the rise in Canada. Taking a look at the demographics of those served by ACNS, a large number of individuals are 35-45 years old, along with a group who are over 50. We are currently evaluating programs and services that will best fit the needs of older PHAs as we move forward.
Like everyone else, aging brings illnesses that make treatment more complex for persons living with HIV. High blood pressure, diabetes or cancers compound the challenge of living with HIV. In some ways, this is similar to challenges faced by those living with other longstanding chronic conditions. There are many health conditions that are associated with both age and HIV. To learn more there is a great Webinar on the CATIE website. Follow this link. Another great resource is the Managing Your Health: A guide for people living with HIV developed by CATIE. It offers a great section on HIV & Aging as well as many other areas of interest. You can download the PDF below.
It’s a good idea to bring questions to your next doctor’s appointment to discuss planning for your future and to explore ways to reduce potential health risks. Feel free to give us a call and set up an appointment, in person or over the phone. We would be happy to discuss your concerns or ideas for future programming to answer needs. While ACNS does not provide medical advice, we can help you make sense of the information and/or help you prepare questions for your next medical appointment.
http://www.catie.ca/en/webinar-series-building-blocks#aging
Webinar on HIV and Aging, from CATIE.
http://hivandrehab.ca/EN/HIV%20and%20Aging/HIVandAging.php
Information from the Canadian Working Group on HIV & Rehabilitation
http://www.thebody.com/content/40482/ask-the-experts-about-hiv-aids.html
HIV & AGING resource site, The Body
http://www.cdnaids.ca/hiv-and-aging
(HIV & AGING fact sheets developed by the Canadian AIDS Society
http://pwn.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/PG_on_Aging_2012_web.pdf
Pocket guide:for women aging gracefully with HIV, by the Positive Women’s Network
To access or inquire about any of our Support Programs, please contact our Support Servces Coordinator. Their contact information can be found in the Staff Directory on the Contact Us page.
Terry Martin Memorial Space
The Terry Martin Memorial space, is open every day from 10am to 4pm. People livig with HIV can come and relax, read, use the internet or phone, play cards or just be.
Supportive Counseling
We provides one-on-one, short term, supportive counseling for those experiencing challenges in their lives, including, but not limited to, new diagnosis, disclosure, illness, grief and loss, difficulty managing life situations and relationships. We can help you access long term counseling as well. Friends, family, loved ones, and caregivers of those living with HIV can also access supportive sessions at ACNS. They can be in person, over the phone or by email.
Advocacy
We advocates with and on behalf of PHAs to assist with better access to healthcare and community resources.Some of our past advocacy for PHAs has been: social assistance, special diet funding, Canada Pension Plan, medication coverage, home care, basic needs and housing. We can also refer people to organizations that may specialize in a specific area of advocacy, such as legal matters or homelessness.
Referrals & Systems Navigation
We provide referrals to PHAs to access a number of community supports, such as legal aid to assist with the completion of a living will, power of attorney or other legal matters, psychological and mental health services, addictions services, specialized food bank and housing organizations to name a few. We can also help you to figure out how to get the healthcare you need, the steps you need to take and what you can expect. Give us a call if you need some help, we may know where you can find what you are looking for.
Treatment Information
We approach HIV treatment from a holistic, harm reduction perspective and keeps an up-to-date information library on HIV,including available medications, adherence strategies, alternative treatments, inflammation, diet and nutrition, medication interactions and mental health. We can provide you with one-on-one treatment information sessions, access to the Internet and printed resources, and treatment information workshops. Please contact us to find out about upcoming workshops being offered.We would also love to hear your ideas for topics to offer as future information sessions.
Poz Gay Men’s Group
This is a monthly social support group for men who identify as gay, bisexual or trans-identified and are living with HIV. It is an opportunity to come together to have discussions, support each other and share experiences. This is a peer-lead group guided by group-identified boundaries with support of our Support Services Coordinator. Snacks are provided. To join this group please contact the Support Services Coordinator.
Poz Women’s Events
Each year we plan a positive women’s event (possibly more than one, depending on interest) where there is a social gathering, discussion and snacks.These events are planned in consultation with poz women who have attended past events with us. We welcome feedback and ideas.
Complementary & Alternative Therapy Programs
Many people use complementary (sometimes known as alternative) health treatments to go along with the medical care they get from their health care provider. These therapies are called "complementary" therapies because usually they are used alongside the more standard medical care provided, such as doctor visits and anti-HIV drugs. Most often, people living with HIV use complementary therapies to ease side effects of HIV drugs, boost their immune systems, or improve their overall health. These therapies can improve their quality of life, as they adjust to living with a chronic health condition. We currently have two registered practitioners who volunteer their time, offering massage and osteopathy to people living with HIV.
Positive Dispatch
Our quarterly newsletter for people living with HIV in NS covers relevant topics such as updates about what is new in HIV, as well as what is happening at ACNS. We welcome ideas from you for future newsletter content and even submissions. Send them along to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can make your submission anonymous if you would like.
Making Ends Meet
We offer hygiene products free-of-charge to those living with HIV who are in need because of low income. All the products are new but availability depends on donations. This program can be accessed on a monthly basis at our office. We welcome any information from clients about the products we could offer and request from donors in the future. Some of the typical products we offer are: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, lotion, shavers, shaving cream, deodorant, etc.
Workshops and Retreats
We offer a variety of workshops on a range of topics throughout the year, in partnership with local and national organizations. One of our newest initiatives is a PHA retreat, to be held periodically. We would love to hear more from you about the topics that are of interest for workshop sessions and future retreats.
HIV/AIDS Community Vigil Ceremony
Each year, we lead a group of community partners together to offer a HIV/AIDS Vigil Ceremony on the evening of December 1, World AIDS Day, in memory of those we lost and in celebration of the lives of those here today. The ceremony involves a reading of the names of those lost since 1983 to today, lighting of the candle, music and sharing.