Image by: CNW Group/Dr. Peter Centre
$100,000 grant from ViiV Healthcare will Continue Centre's Evening Program
The Dr. Peter Centre, a non-profit organization that supports innovative healthcare delivery in the Metro Vancouver area for people living with HIV, is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from ViiV Healthcare Canada to continue its innovative Evening Program over the next two years. This extends a vital program that engages ageing gay, bi or other men who have sex with men, who are over 50 and living with HIV. The only program of its kind in Canada, the Dr. Peter Centre is a leader in HIV care and offers a place to connect with others in a safe and calm environment, particularly for individuals with overlapping medical conditions and social barriers.
"Because of improved treatment regimes, people living with HIV are ageing and experiencing unique challenges from getting older. This is an unprecedented emerging and growing issue," said Scott Elliott, Executive Director of the Dr. Peter Centre. "As the only HIV day health program and 24-hour nursing care residence in British Columbia, the Dr. Peter Centre has been at the forefront of working with ageing gay men facing increased barriers such as social isolation and food insecurity."
This grant will expand an innovative evening program that was successfully piloted over the past year. The program will include a nutrient-dense evening meal, art and music therapy, individual and group counselling, occupational therapy and access to other healthcare disciplines and resources. This continues the Dr. Peter Centre's commitment to the needs of individuals with multiple medical conditions and social barriers.
"This program aims to mitigate the risks for aging gay men in British Columbia from treatment interruption or other health complications." added Elliott. "In the Vancouver area alone there are almost 600 individuals that could benefit from this program. We are proud to lead the way in Canada on working to best support patients encountering these increased barriers as they age, in addition to the regular health complications associated with aging, which is a newly found scenario for HIV/AIDS patients."
The grant is being award by ViiV Healthcare Canada through their community support programs, which aims to support a diverse group of healthcare-related organizations across Canada in their goal to improve health outcomes and/or the quality of life for patients living with HIV/AIDS.
"New HIV treatments continue to improve the lives of people living with HIV," said Sara Leclerc, General Manager of ViiV Healthcare Canada. "ViiV is proud to support organizations like the Dr Peter Centre who provide crucial programs that improve the quality of life of British Columbians as they age in new ways previously not possible."
The Dr. Peter Centre provides innovative, therapeutic care in a community environment. Since the Centre was built in Vancouver's West End in 2003, we have been providing comfort care for people with multiple vulnerabilities including HIV. Over 360 people are enrolled in our day program that offers two daily meals, recreation, music, and art therapy in addition to access to nursing staff. We also offer a long-term care residence that serves people who require longer-term, medically complex care; end-of-life care; and short-term stabilization as they transition out of hospital.
ViiV Healthcare is the only company 100% dedicated to developing HIV treatments to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and ultimately improve the health of those whose lives are touched by the virus. Learn more about ViiV Healthcare and how we are supporting the HIV/AIDS community at www.viivhealthcare.ca.
