*Thank you for your interest in the Financial Empowerment project, study enrolment is now closed. Please check back here in Spring 2025 for our findings and community report!

This research study includes two components: a survey of individuals aging with HIV, and focus groups for service providers.

About the Survey

Purpose:  To gather information from people aging with HIV in Ontario (age 50+) on their current and anticipated needs for financial information, services, and support. Study findings will help us understand how educational programs, support services and policies can be created or adapted in a way that is useful to older adults living with HIV and fosters financial empowerment.

About the Focus Groups for Service Providers

Purpose:  Focus groups will explore service providers’ knowledge of income and benefit programs available to older adults; experience providing navigational support to clients accessing these programs; awareness of and frequency of referrals to financial empowerment services and supports; and the availability of financial education, tools, services and supports within HIV care settings.

Study findings will help us understand how educational programs, support services and policies can be created or adapted in a way that is useful to older adults living with HIV and fosters financial empowerment.

Research Ethics: This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board (Protocol #45310). Study data will be kept strictly confidential.

More information

For more information about the study, contact the Research Coordinator, Christina Lessels, at 416-513-0440 ext. 234 or fecoordinator@realizecanada.org or contact one of the Co-Principal Investigators:

Dr. Sergio Rueda, Associate Professor, Termerty Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto  –  sergio.rueda@utoronto.ca

Kate Murzin, Director of National Programs, Realize – kmurzin@realizecanada.org