Human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome infection imposes a tremendous threat in healthcare systems. People are living with HIVirus experience uncertainty since they get unpredictable physical and mental challenges. The healthcare system has developed new methods to improve the health conditions of people with HIV by giving treatment using effective drugs. Proper healthcare offers individuals a chance to enjoy their life beyond expectation. Moreover, some of the people living with the virus face discrimination from the society as they try to seek a living plan and long-term care. Long-term care facility provides patients with assistance to manage the disease also acting as housing and services providers (Allender, Rector, Rector & Warner, 2013) . This essay will expound on my experience after visiting a long-term care facility treating HIV/AIDS patients.
Majority of the patients living with HIV/AIDS are economically unstable exposed to poor living conditions turning them into drug abuse. Currently, the United State government offers funds to support patients living with HIV infections in long-term care facilities. My experience in the long-term care facility made me understand how the providers start giving the patient life-changing attention. The patients are systematically taught how to begin using antiretroviral (ARV) dose.
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The providers teach the patients progressively by providing essential information through education and guidance about the importance of committing oneself to drugs. Before starting the medications, the health profession ensures that all topics required to be taught to the patients are done thoroughly. This makes the patients adapt quickly to the health system without feeling overwhelmed by the information they receive in the long-term care facility.
Discrimination
Discrimination is the main reason that makes people infected with HIV feel not suitable while relating with other individuals in the society (Brashers, Neidig, Cardillo, Dobbs, Russell & Haas, 1999). In a long-term care facility, most of the individuals reported that they were experiencing anger and denial after knowing their positive HIV status. Many of the patients seek long-term care provider to get a sufficient place to live independently. Admission to the caring providers should be made without discrimination since it is unlawful to discriminate against any patient seeking health care.
Majority of the victims in the long-term care facility disclose fear of discrimination and stigma are the main reason as to why many opt to get admitted to this facility. This increases the number of patients who get diagnosed late when the virus has rapidly spread in the body system. Late treatment is less effective causing early death to patients.
Importance of long-term care facility
Long-term care facility offers patients with significant support in continuation of their adherence to a treatment program. The primary role health workers in the facility are to provide patients with the knowledge and relevant skills concerning antiretroviral. However, the patients get educated through practice and counseling support on how to manage the disease. All the patients living with HIV /AIDS in the facility understand the advantage of getting medical alerts, diaries, charts from the professional which enable them to keep track of drug intake. Through this, the patients can trust and maintain a partnership with the long-term care management and the health system.
When patients are imposed with a negative attitude from the long-term care facility provider, there is a high chance of losing the interest to adhere to antiretroviral treatment undermining the efforts to improve the patient's health conditions. Giving moral support to the patient makes them feel they are not being controlled while getting the service from the provider. I experienced the patient in the long term facility enjoys optimal treatment adherence.
Treatment adherence difficulty
The treatment providers assist patients infected with HIV/AIDS with the best solutions to overcome treatment barriers. The main problem facing patients in the facility is the large number of tablets, many doses to be taken by the patients. Other side effects patients experience includes nausea and vomiting. However, in collaboration with long-term care providers patients can overcome treatment difficulties easily by applying reassurance about the treatment to the patients. Long-term care facility experience funding problem since they facility requires a considerable sum of money.
The rising of drug-related patients is currently increasing at a high rate since drugs are associated with HIV/AIDS infection. A patient who uses drugs there is chance to rebel while adhering treatment. This makes the long-term provider have more duties in making sure that the patients are adhering to the treatment accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, patients living with HIV/AIDS should be given much support from the society and the government. The United States government should allocate more funding to the long-term care facility to enable them to perform their duties effectively. This will create an adequate environment for the patient suffering from the virus to collaborate with others without discrimination. The antiretroviral treatment increases hope to a patient suffering from the infection since it acts as a life revival.
References
Allender, J., Rector, C., Rector, C., & Warner, K. (2013). Community & public health nursing: Promoting the public's health . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Brashers, D. E., Neidig, J. L., Cardillo, L. W., Dobbs, L. K., Russell, J. A., & Haas, S. M. (1999). 'Importantly, I did die': uncertainty and revival in persons living with HIV or AIDS. AIDS Care , 11 (2), 201-219.
