Types of Services
The types of services an organization offers will depend on, among other things, the purpose of the organization and its geographical location. The range of services is immense, from problems specific to some people (e.g., Spanish-speaking educational counselors) to problems shared by everyone with HIV infection (education on preventing transmission).
If the organizations do not offer the services themselves, they will recommend other organizations that do offer the services.The following is a list of the services organizations may offer. If you need any of these services, call a national organization (see below) to find who in your local area offers the services. Or find a local resource (see below) that offers them.
Alcoholism: the national organization Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has information on which of its local branches offer groups
specific to people with HIV infection who also have problems with alcohol.
Buddy systems: buddies are volunteers, sometimes trained, who provide services that range from filling prescriptions and driving you to the grocery store to cleaning the refrigerator and holding hands.
Children with HIV infection
Counseling: can be individual or group counseling (see below, “Support groups”)
Drug use and HIV infection
Financial problems
Government reports
HIV testing
Home health care
Hospice care
Hotlines: toll-free phone numbers, either community, state, or national. Ask any questions about HIV infection and about services available to people with HIV infection.
Housing problems
Insurance problems
Legal services
Minorities and HIV infection, including organizations with Spanish-speaking counselors
Nursing homes
Physician referral
Political action, speakers’ bureaus
Preventing transmission of HIV
Religious counseling
Safer sex
Scientific research reports
Sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment
Social workers help with plans for recuperating at home, with plans for finances and insurance, with recommendations to different organizations. They are hired by mental health centers, churches, social service agencies, and virtually all hospitals.
Support groups: groups can be specifically for women, gays, drug users, couples, caregivers, spouses, the worried well, and people who are HIV-positive, or who have AIDS.
Transportation
Visiting nurse programs
Women and HIV infection