Information for: People living with HIV

Types of rehabilitation

There are several different types of rehabilitation:

Physical rehabilitation

Some of the challenges you face may be caused by changes in your body. Physical rehabilitation can help.

• A physical therapist (physiotherapy) can teach you exercises and physical activities that will help you:
  • strengthen your muscles
  • improve movement in your joints
  • maintain or improve your flexibility, balance and coordination, and
  • manage pain.
• An occupational therapist (occupational therapy) can help you learn to manage your daily activities and make adjustments in your home or work place to take into account any physical changes you are experiencing. This could include:
  • suggesting changes in your living space to accommodate any physical limitations you have
  • helping you learn to use a walker if you need one, and
  • suggesting ways of organizing your days to conserve your energy.
• A speech-language pathologist (speech therapy) can help you with issues affecting speech, communication and swallowing.
• An audiologist can help you deal with hearing loss by fitting you with a hearing aid or helping you to find ways to communicate well despite your hearing loss.
• A physiatrist is a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation. A physiatrist can:
  • help you regain movement or physical functioning you have lost, and
  • treat chronic pain.
• Some people with HIV also find that complementary or alternative therapies are helpful. These include:
  • acupuncture
  • massage therapy
  • homeopathy
  • naturopathy
  • aromatherapy
  • chiropractic treatments
  • yoga, mediation, tai chi
  • traditional healing (e.g. sweat lodge, Sundance)

Psychosocial rehabilitation/support

People living with HIV can experience depression, anxiety, changes in sleep and appetite and reduced sex drive (libido). Self-esteem and relationships can be affected.

• Psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and mental health counsellors can help. They can:
  • provide therapy or counselling
  • suggest strategies and techniques to relieve anxiety and stress
  • connect you with peer support groups, and
  • prescribe medication, if necessary (psychiatrists only).
• Social supports such as friends, family, cultural and other community organizations can also provide both emotional and practical support.

Vocational rehabilitation

Staying in the workforce, or returning to the workforce after a period of illness, is often complicated if you have HIV:

• You may be concerned about how you will be treated if people find out you are HIV positive.
• You may not have the stamina to work fulltime and your workplace may not be able to accommodate part-time hours.
• If you have been on long-term disability and return to work, you may be concerned about income or health benefits if you get sick again.
• Vocational rehabilitation programs and some AIDS service organizations provide:
  • training and employment counselling
  • job search and interview skills
  • counselling about income support, health and disability benefits
  • information about your legal rights, and
  • advocacy on your behalf.