Caring for a Loved One with HIV/AIDS

Caregiving doesn’t pause after November — and neither does the importance of staying connected to the right support. Plug-in to Care helps caregivers find trusted information, supportive communities, and practical tools that make each day a little more manageable. Whether you’re caring for a loved one this holiday season or any time of year, connection can make all the difference.

The Caregiver’s Role in HIV/AIDS

Caring for someone living with HIV/AIDS comes with unique challenges—balancing complex medication regimens, navigating stigma, and addressing both physical and emotional health needs. Advances in treatment have transformed HIV/AIDS into a manageable chronic condition, but caregivers remain central to ensuring quality of life, adherence to care, and emotional support. Recognizing and equipping caregivers with the right tools is essential to sustaining both their loved one’s health and their own well-being.

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Medication
Management is Critical

Consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential to suppress the virus and protect long-term health. Caregivers often play a key role in supporting daily routines and addressing side effects.

Emotional Health
Matters

Caregivers may encounter stigma—both their loved one’s and their own—which can lead to isolation. Seeking supportive communities and mental health resources can ease the burden.

Caregivers Need
Care Too

Balancing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities can increase stress and burnout. Recognizing caregiver rights, setting boundaries, and accessing support networks can help protect your own health.

HIV/AIDS Caregiving Resources

Partner Resources

SAGE: HIV & Aging Resources — This resource focuses on the intersection of HIV and aging by offering community supports, training, and technical assistance to improve quality of life for older adults living with or affected by HIV. It also emphasizes education for service providers to deliver culturally competent, affirming care to older LGBTQ+ people with HIV.
Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation: Programs & Support — This resource focuses on the intersection of HIV and aging by offering community supports, training, and technical assistance to improve quality of life for older adults living with or affected by HIV. It also emphasizes education for service providers to deliver culturally competent, affirming care to older LGBTQ+ people with HIV.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program — The Ryan White Program is the U.S. federal program that provides medical care, medications, and support services to people with HIV who have limited or no insurance, serving as a safety net in the national HIV response.

Caregiver Action Network

Plug-in to Care: Stay Connected

Caregiving can be complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. Plug-in to Care by connecting with trusted resources, supportive communities, and tools that help you care for your loved one — and yourself — throughout the holiday season and beyond.