Free condoms, HIV tests for NYC elderly

[Roon]

NEW YORK - While volunteers passed out cups of Jell-O to the white-haired lunch crowd at a senior center, another group was distributing something that didn’t quite fit amid the card games and daily gossip: condoms.

“You’re giving out condoms,” 82-year-old Rose Crescenzo said with a wistful smile, “but who’s going to give us a guy?”

But this was no joke.

The condom giveaway is part of an effort by New York City’s Department of Aging to educate older people about the risks of contracting the virus that causes AIDS. After the condom giveaway, free HIV testing was offered.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19959731/

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Those Randy New York Seniors!

It's strange but true - there's a lot of shtupping going on amongst the senior set in NYC.

Good for them!

NYC is so cool...

[Peregrine]

2. The highest incidence of STDs in Central Florida is at The Villages

a large retirement community northwest of Orlando. The local news did a report, some of the women have 4 to 5 different partners. Since they aren't concerned with pregnancy they don't think of any protection.

[rainbow4321]

7. And it's not like they can talk to their peers if they are HIV+

or have STD's. We're not talking about hypertension or high cholesterol here...you won't find them sitting around comparing their viral loads or T cell count like they do their blood sugars and cholesterol levels.
I took care of an elderly man almost 10 yrs ago who was living with HIV/AIDS. He had developed the lesions that some AIDS patient develop, on his arms and legs (KS lesions). In the middle of the hot Texas summer his wife would insist that he wear long pants/long sleeved shirts all the time, even if he went out during the heat of the day. She didn't want people asking questions about his health. The tension in their house was so thick whenever I did his homecare visits you could cut it with a knife.
It is still on the rise in the elderly population. If they are in their 60-70's they've not had to worry about getting pregnant for a looonnngg time, so no condoms are used nor have they used any in decades (if ever).

[Donnachaidh]

3. I'm curious - are there figures on HIV in the elderly community?

Has there been tracking? Are the figures on the rise, or is this something that has just been started?

I know I sound like a complete dummy asking - but someone had to ask.

[soothsayer]

6. blame viagara (no pun intended with figures being on the rise)

[Donnachaidh]

8. no kidding

The human body is a magnificent machine. But it really makes one wonder if this drug is really that necessary, or if our male population has just found the perfect party favor?

[Canuckistanian]

4. Wrap that rascal, Grandpa!

Those paternity suits can drain the old pension fund!

[Donnachaidh]

5. There may be snow on the roof, but there's still a fire in the furnace

:evilgrin: