Occupational and physical therapy for persons with HIV disease and their caregivers

Abstract

Persons with HIV infection and AIDS and their caregivers in the home environment often encounter difficulties with daily life-task management. Physical and psychosocial challenges secondary to HIV disease include deficits in mobility, activities of daily living, work, and leisure performance. Chronic pain, fatigue, central and peripheral nervous system damage, cognitive impairments, and psychosocial difficulties that impair function require adaptive and physical strategies to prevent further dysfunction and to improve or restore function. This article presents a strategy for occupational and physical therapy for the HIV patient in home care, emphasizing strategies to improve function. The need for other health care team members to involve rehabilitation specialists in HIV disease management is stressed.

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