HIV/AIDS poses unique challenges and creates unique needs for the care provider, whether that person is a professional, family member, or a friend. This book is designed to examine the major issues affecting those caregivers.
The book begins with a thorough survey of the HIV/AIDS caregiving context. Then some of the major stresses in HIV/AIDS caregiving are identified. The special issues and challenges confronted by female, African-American, and gay caregivers are then reviewed. The next essay examines how the caregiver can approach questions from both clients' and patients' perspectives and the caregiver's sero-status. After focusing on the key issues of spirituality in HIV/AIDS care, the issue of multiple loss, and the grieving process, the book concludes with a synthesis and suggestions for new perspectives on the caregiving process. The collection is intended to be a major resource for professional caregivers as well as family members and loved ones.