Educational Considerations
Providing information and educational resources to patients diagnosed with more or less severe cognitive decline associated with HIV is another important factor in HIV care. Many patients have little or no understanding of neurological functioning or the diseases that affect cognition. Thus, it is often a useful intervention for the therapist to suggest a “Family” session for the patient and all of the important caregivers in his or her system. The focus of this session should be psychoeducational in which all present are educated about the nature of HIV dementia, what new symptoms to be on the look out for, and suggestions for managing the cognitive impairment. Most patients upon hearing the term “Dementia” envision the most severe clinical characteristics, usually those associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, such as complete memory loss and vegetable like mannerisms. Helping patients to better understand neuropsychological functioning and the kind of changes associated with sub–cortical disease will greatly reduce the fears and worries of those affected.