CHN Emerging as a National Leader in Healthy Aging and Geriatric-Informed HIV Care
Advancing Healthy Aging with HIV Through Innovative Care Models
As people living with HIV are living longer, the need for specialized care that addresses the unique challenges of aging with HIV has become increasingly important. Colorado Health Network (CHN) is emerging as a national leader in integrating geriatric-informed care practices to support healthy aging with HIV and improve quality of life for clients across Colorado.
CHN’s Healthy Aging portfolio began with the PATH2Wellness (People Aging & Thriving with HIV) program, developed in 2020 by Erin Burk-Leaver, CHN’s first Healthy Aging Program Manager. This pilot program established CHN’s foundational geriatric-informed framework for supporting older adults living with HIV. The program was one of 10 nationwide to receive funding from the Aging with HIV Initiative through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and was the only community-based program to receive the grant. Its findings were later published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, providing evidence-based validation for aging-responsive HIV services within community-based AIDS service organizations.
Building on this foundation, Burk-Leaver, now Director of Community Engagement, and Haley Sanner, Healthy Aging Client Services Manager, have led a strategic effort to integrate geriatric-informed HIV care practices throughout CHN’s statewide case management system. In collaboration with CHN’s Client Services team, they standardized geriatric screening procedures, strengthened referral pathways, and developed specialized onboarding and training for Healthy Aging Medical Case Managers.
This integrated model enables CHN to proactively identify age-related health concerns, including cognitive changes, mobility challenges, social isolation, and medication complexity. By embedding geriatric principles into HIV case management, CHN is improving health outcomes and delivering person-centered, aging-responsive care that supports long-term wellness for older adults living with HIV.
iCHANGE Project Creates National Blueprint for Aging with HIV Care
CHN’s iCHANGE Project (Integrated Care for Healthy Aging & Navigation of Geriatric Effects), led by Burk-Leaver and Sanner, represents a major advancement in geriatric HIV care. The project was selected as one of ten initiatives in a national HIV and Aging Initiative, highlighting CHN’s leadership in developing innovative solutions for aging populations affected by HIV.
The iCHANGE Project translated the internationally recognized Geriatric 5Ms framework—Multicomplexity, Mobility, Mentation, Medication, and Matters Most—into a practical screening and referral model tailored specifically for people aging with HIV. The program also piloted the Healthy Aging Medical Case Manager role, ensuring clients received coordinated, holistic care addressing both HIV management and age-related health needs.
The project demonstrated strong outcomes across multiple areas critical to healthy aging with HIV. Results showed high rates of identification of geriatric vulnerabilities, measurable cognitive improvements among participants experiencing impairment, and reductions in loneliness and social isolation. Clients reported high satisfaction with the model, and implementation findings highlighted the importance of organizational alignment, client-centered care planning, and sustainable funding strategies.
Leading the Future of Healthy Aging with HIV
Through programs like PATH2Wellness and the iCHANGE Project, Colorado Health Network is helping redefine what it means to age well with HIV. By integrating geriatric-informed care practices into everyday HIV services, CHN is ensuring older adults living with HIV receive comprehensive, compassionate, and evidence-based support.
As the population of people aging with HIV continues to grow nationwide, CHN’s innovative care model serves as a scalable blueprint for HIV organizations seeking to improve long-term health outcomes, promote independence, and enhance quality of life for older adults living with HIV.
Have questions about the Heathly Aging Program? Reach out to [email protected].
Note: Photos and illustrations are from the inaugural HIV & Aging Forum, convened by CHN’s Erin Burk-Leaver and Haley Sanner, in partnership with the HIV & Aging Community Planning Committee, gathered more than 100 providers, researchers, advocates, and people with lived experience to advance cross-sector dialogue and disseminate key findings from the HRSA SPNS iCHANGE Project. All photos by Courtney Nicholson-Paine. Illustrations by Karina Branson/ConverSketch.