It’s the talk many parents are nervous to have with their children. The sex talk.
However, imagine having to have the talk with grandma and grandpa.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the baby boomer and older populations account for 29% of those living with AIDS.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford explains why an older generation needs to be warned about catching a deadly sexual virus.
Trust, it’s a little word but it means so much. It’s about trust it’s about getting older and it’s a tough subject families need to talk about.
It’s the new sexual revolution only this time your grandparents are getting it on.
With the help of a little blue pill, serniors are hitting the dating scene and their discovering its dangers.
“I know this is something I have to live with for the rest of my life,” says Mary.
Mary didn’t’ want to show her face but she did want to share her story.
She’s a 68-year-old grandmother and Mary just found out she’s HIV positive.
“I made them do three tests because I didn't believe it,” says Mary.
After a career, marriage and kids, Mary started dating but things have changed in the last few decades.
“When you're out having fun you don't think about things, you trust the person you're with,” says Mary. “More people are dating again and the last time they were dating HIV wasn't the problem it is now and it is in our area.”
The Oklahoma Department of Health says in 2005 (latest statistics) there were 141 people over the age of 50 who were living with HIV/AIDS in Tulsa. Statewide there were 581 people living with HIV/AIDS.
Sharon Carasquillo is 70 and she is a grandmother who will be the first to tell you she’s lead a wild life and old age didn’t slow her down.
Carasquillo admits she loves sex but she says many seniors, expecially women are looking for more than a one-night stand.
“You have people who have been with their partners for 50 years and that person leaves,” says Carasquillo. “They get lonely and get promiscuous and things happen and even those who think they're being careful but they're not careful enough.”
Seniors living with HIV often feel depressed and alone and cut-off from society.
One mother believes if she tells her daughter she’s HIV positive she’ll never see her grandchildren again.
“A lot of people wont even touch you, they don't want to hug you especially in the black community,” says Carasquillo.
Mary and Carasquillo want others to learn from their mistakes that they are two women with different stories but now on the same path who are victims of the new sexual revolution.
“One day there's going to be a cure, that don't mean I'm going to be around to see it.”
Their message, safe sex is great sex at any age.
The CDC says compared to the younger generation, older people may not see themselves to be risk for the virus and less likely to get tested and protect themselves.
