Information for: People living with HIV

How rehabilitation can help

Rehabilitation can help you deal with the problems (or disabilities) caused by HIV or its treatment by helping you to:

• stay healthy and improve your overall quality of life
• continue or go back to work, and
• remain active at home and in your community

It’s important to talk to your doctor about all of the problems and challenges you are experiencing in your day-to-day life – physical, mental, emotional, financial or work-related. Many of these problems can be helped by various types of rehabilitation or support.

Rehabilitation services are provided in a variety of settings: hospitals, outpatient clinics, your own home, your workplace, community agencies and AIDS service organizations.

You will need an assessment and referral by a doctor to access many of these services. This is especially important if they are being paid for by your province’s health plan or private insurance. If the service is provided by your local AIDS service organization, you probably won’t need a referral and it may be free.