Support Services

At AIDS Niagara, we believe that sharing knowledge and experiences with caring individuals devoted to giving emotional and honest support, learning as much as you can in order to stay healthy, and accessing supports you may need, are important when coping with the realities of the disease.

Any potentially life-threatening illness can be very frightening. There are so many myths about HIV (the Human Immunodeficiency Virus) that coping with a positive test result can be overwhelming.

Treatments for various HIV infections are more readily available today than in the past. Attitudes towards those living with the disease are improving as people become more educated, and there are many supports available today that can help you live with HIV and AIDS.

Are you considering an HIV test?

Call AIDS Niagara to find out:

• How HIV is transmitted and if you've been at risk
• What the test involves
• Where you can get tested
• The difference between Anonymous & Confidential testing
• What a "window period" is
• How to reduce your risk

Have you tested “positive”?

As you try to sort it all out, you may feel angry, confused, frightened and alone, but there is reason to be hopeful. People with HIV are living longer now as HIV is becoming more of a chronic manageable illness than ever. There are many supports available today that can help you live with HIV and AIDS. It is important for you to be aware of what your options are and to be able to make informed choices for yourself.

Our support services staff can help you:

• Understand what being “positive” means
• Assess your own needs
• Provide you with a wide variety of support, as well as practical assistance
• Obtain information for you on Treatment, Complementary Therapies, Clinical Trials and other related issues
• Access supportive Health Care services
• By advocating on your behalf in order to obtain medical, financial, housing and other services

Are you living with HIV/AIDS?

At AIDS Niagara we will:

• Help you assess what your needs are
• Assist you in obtaining supportive dental and/or health services
• Advocate on your behalf in order to obtain medical, financial, housing, and other services
• Provide you with a wide variety of support services as well as practical assistance
• Obtain information for you on treatment, complementary therapies, clinical trials and other related issues
• Support you in whatever way we can through our support services, Volunteer Services Program, practical help, Support Groups, Friendly Visiting Program, Supportive Housing Program and one-to-one support counselling

Does someone you love have HIV/AIDS?

AIDS Niagara offers:

• One-to-one and group support
• Caregiver Support Program
• Information resources to help you better understand HIV and AIDS
• Referrals to other appropriate community services

Do you want to learn more about HIV/AIDS?

At AIDS Niagara you can:

• Find information on many other issues that relate to HIV and AIDS
• Get condoms, clean needles and information to help you reduce the risk of HIV transmission
• Come in and talk to one of our Support Workers
• Call and get information by phone
• E-mail staff with concerns or requests for information

For more information

Call us at 905-984-8684 and speak with one of our support staff:

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Support⋅Education⋅Advocacy