Dear Center Community,
My name is Jason Cuneo (he/they), Senior Services Program Manager at The Center, and I’m proud to introduce Aging Well with HIV: A Monthly Educational Series. This new resource from 50+ and Better Together Senior Services at The Center is part of our commitment to expanding critical resources for our senior community and supporting those living—and thriving—with HIV in San Diego.
On September 18, we recognized National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, first established in 2008 by The AIDS Institute. This observance shines a spotlight on the unique health and social needs of older adults living with HIV, while underscoring the importance of prevention, testing, treatment, and reducing stigma. Today, more than half of people living with HIV in the U.S. are over age 50, a powerful reminder of how far we have come and how vital it is to ensure our community continues to age with dignity, health, and connection.
Thanks to decades of medical advances, HIV is now a manageable condition, but our work is far from over. At The Center, we believe in building strong networks of care, celebrating resilience, and ensuring our LGBTQ+ seniors have the tools and support to live full, vibrant lives.
In that spirit, we are proud to launch Aging Well with HIV: A Monthly Educational Series, presented by Dra. Karla F. Torres, MSN-FNP, AAHIVS, Community Medical Liaison with ViiV Healthcare, and in collaboration with the San Diego HIV Community Consortium and Senior Services at The Center. Dra. Torres, who brings more than 30 years of experience caring for people living with HIV, will be joined by Dr. Joseph Caperna, Clinical Professor at UCSD and Medical Advisor for the Consortium.
The series will be held in person at The Center on the first Wednesday of each month from 6–7pm through January 2026. Dinner will be provided for free.
Each month will focus on a different topic as follows:
- October 1, 2025 – HIV Regimen Drug Update
- November 5, 2025 – Making the Most of Your Health Care Visit: The Checklist for HIV
- December 3, 2025 – Diet & Nutrition in HIV: Cooking with Patients
- January 7, 2026 – Series Wrap-Up: Organ, Kidney, Bone, Brain, Heart, Digestive System, Skin
Together, our experts will share the latest insights on HIV care and aging, address key challenges, and provide critical information and resources to support health and wellness while living with HIV. We invite you to be part of this important conversation. Please email info@sdhivc.org to RSVP.
Senior Services at The Center remains committed to providing resources that address the unique needs of older adults aging with HIV, including social connection, housing navigation, food resources, and more. Learn more about Senior Services.
We expect this new educational series to further strengthen our Senior Services and we invite you to join us—to continue the legacy of LGBTQ+ leadership in HIV care and awareness, and to ensure that every member of our community has the tools and support to thrive.
In Community,
Jason Cuneo (he/they)
Senior Services Program Manager