LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Renewing Commitment to Those Affected by AIDS |
Members of the local HIV community have suggested that SCAC strengthen its response to clients who become critically ill. Many have observed that during the "crisis period" of the disease, SCAC was exceptionally responsive to the very sick and homebound. However, in the age of protease inhibitors, the community believes that given the improved outlook for people living with HIV, program priorities have shifted to providing quality of life services to the relatively healthy. In fact, although fewer people are becoming sick and dying, catastrophic illness and death in the HIV community are still occurring on a regular basis. Some even argue that as the new drugs lose their potential to provide punch as a result of resistance, the numbers of the critically ill could significantly increase. In any case, the HIV community recommends, and SCAC agrees, that it is important to reinvigorate the agency's caring response to the most needy of its clients. Work has already begun to revive SCAC's program of outreach to the critically ill, the Sunshine Club. David Russell of the SCAC Board of Directors and Jeanne Doe of SCAC's SHARP Center will work together to get the effort underway. The first steps will be to identify a pool of volunteers. Next, the group will need to decide what services will be offered. At the most basic, activities will include hospital or nursing home visits and visits to the client's home when he or she is homebound. The idea is to provide a sense of caring assurance to clients and their families during difficult periods of illness. "Additionally, we hope to be able to provide for some practical support, such as cooking a meal or assisting in making changes to a person's home to accommodate special needs that may arise as a result of illness," David said. SCAC will announce organizational meetings, as they are scheduled. For more information or to volunteer, contact Jeanne Doe at 302-644-1094. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 10, No. 4, May 5, 2000. |