Gerontology, older adults, professional writing, academic writing, Microsoft Office, social media, creative writing.
Reading, crocheting, travel.
Claudia received a Master's Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Gerontology from Capella University.
Claudia will complete courses, required for her Ph.D. in the fall of 2018. Upon completion, she will begin the dissertation process. She currently holds a 3.94 GPA.
In her role as the Recreation Director in a facility providing skilled nursing and rehabilitative services, Claudia's writing primarily consists of written reports which contribute to the overall health record of patients and residents within the facility. Additionally, she communicates, in writing, with professionals from community agencies and organizations, as well as colleagues and family members.
Oral Presentation Outline
I. Introduce Research Topic
A. Hypothetical example of 68-year old woman
1. Has not been feeling well
2. Has had numerous tests
3. Waiting for results in doctor’s office
4. Bracing for the “worst”, heart disease, cancer
5. Told she is HIV-Positive
6. Months to come she loses hope, feels alone, isolates
7. Hypothetical example, but emotional struggle, HIV/AIDS a growing reality for older women
8. Research Topic: Prevalence of HIV-related depressive symptoms among women age 60 and older within first year of HIV infection
II. Background Research
A. History of HIV and Women
1. Affected from the beginning, misdiagnosed
2. Longevity, “chronic” disease
B. Growing Rate and Low Risk Perception
1. Henderson study: 2004, “32%” older women with HIV
2. Hillman study: 2007, women diagnosed at “higher rate than men”
3. Durvasula study: “50,000” over age 50 in 2009—contracted HIV through sex
4. Reasons: sexually active, reluctant to use condoms, more older women than men
C. Unique Needs
1. Living with HIV/AIDS challenging for anyone, race, gender, age
2. Challenges unique to older women physically, aging, menopause
3. Challenges unique to older women socially, caregiver, decreased social network
4. Challenges unique to older women emotionally, body image, stigma,
D. Emotional Impact
1. Durvasula study: “virtually” no studies on the impact of HIV and stressors for older women
2. Orlandi study: HIV-positive older women less “hopeful” than women with other chronic or terminal illness
3. Cook, et al., study: most telling, correlation between depressive symptoms, progression of HIV, mortality
4. Reason for topic—little is known about the emotional impact, it is possible to make a difference