Development of an occupational therapy programme for elderly people living with HIV/AIDS when performing activities of daily living

Abstract

Background: Elderly people are increasingly being infected by HIV; however, available data does not often include how the pandemic is affecting this population group with regard to activities of daily living. HIV places enormous stress on infected individuals that contribute to and hinder elderly people’s well-being when performing activities of daily living. Surviving with HIV can be extremely challenging at any age, however elderly people living with HIV have to be contended with physical, mental and psychological declines of an ageing body, as both ageing and HIV infection can work separately or interactively to reduce human immune response. The increasing rate of HIV infection among the elderly has led to recent research and public discourses highlighting the need to focus on elderly people to improve the quality of life. Therefore, there is a call for research concerning health programmes aimed at enhancing quality of life for elderly people living with HIV. Aim: The overall aim of this study was to develop an occupational therapy programme for elderly people living with HIV when performing activities of daily living. This study was planned in four phases which were scoping review, needs of elderly people living with HIV, occupational therapist’s perspectives, and formulation and review of the programme. Methods: A qualitative descriptive exploratory research design was used. Data was collected through scoping review based on the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley. Focus group discussions of elderly people living with HIV were conducted in three selected health facilities. Appreciative inquiry workshop with occupational therapists was conducted to address the needs of elderly people living with HIV. The Delphi technique was selected as a method for achieving consensual agreement among occupational therapist’s experts. The Delphi techniques used three rounds and ultimately aimed to come to a consensus using the opinions and feedback of experts in a formulated programme. Results: The findings revealed existing gap of the available programmes, barriers and facilitators experienced by elderly living with HIV and occupational therapists’ input and views regarding what should be included in an occupational therapy programme. Understanding the needs of the elderly people living with HIV informed the v development of appropriate interventions to improve their well-being, health and quality of life. Conclusion: There was a need to develop occupational therapy programme to assist in providing appropriate care for the elderly people living with HIV. Therefore, the developed occupational therapy programme aimed at reducing the risk of functional decline and improve functional independence in activities of daily living.