Summary
The number of people above 50 years old diagnosed with AIDS has doubled in five years to 142 last year. In 2004, about 25 per cent of those infected with HIV/AIDS were in that age group. Last year, the figure rose to 31 per cent.

They may think that because they are older, they have less risk to STD.More older persons are seeking companionship and sexual fulfilment outside of marriage due to various reasons such as financially more relaxed, children growing up, wives going through menopause, maybe sexually less active, loneliness due to children growing up having their own lives.

In June 2010, treatment for AIDS was made more affordable with a drop in the price of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for AIDS sufferers. The cost of first line ARV drugs dropped three-fold to S$200 compared to S$1000 last year. This enabled more patients to use their Medisave to pay for their drug regimen.

Opinion
Sex is a need for man of all ages, be it the working who faces stress and the elderly who are overcome by lonliness. Sex is an effective tool able to relieve human with social problems, since it is proven that it is a healthy activity which is encouraged.

The low prices of drugs however does not help in countering the rising problem of elderly infected with AIDS, instead it makes them think that medicine are readily affordable, encouraging them to engage in more high risk sexual activity. Personally, it is better to educate these elderly to practice safer sex without depriving them of their need.

by dingkiat