Health Literacy

doi:10.1017/9781108942751.059

Chapter 59 - Health Literacy

from Section IV - Principles of Care for the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022

Lisa R. Smith ,

Terri Ottosen ,

Annette Beyea and

Cristine B. Henage

Edited by

Jan Busby-Whitehead ,

Mary H. Palmer and

Jan Busby-Whitehead: Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso: Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson: Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon: Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer: Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel: Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center

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Summary

This chapter focuses on resources, strategies, and interventions when working with older adults with low health literacy. Integrating practical ways of engaging this population can enhance and improve older adults’ health status, and enhance the interaction and relationships with health-care providers. As patients are asked to take a more active role in the management of their health, enabling participation and better communication, the patients’ involvement can have a dramatic effect in improving health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Health professionals can encourage clear health communication to promote the overall health and well-being of older adults.

Engaging and working with older adults with low health literacy is critical to improving health outcomes. For those with low health literacy, it's important to ensure health messages, both verbal and written, are communicated clearly so that patients can understand what they need to do, in order to achieve better health and make informed decisions about their care. Older adults may be more hesitant to ask questions of their health providers, or lack the skills to find, evaluate, and utilize health information online. Other factors, such as physical, cognitive, and social age-related changes, can also impact older adults’ ability to understand and process health information.

Keywords

health literacy older adults aging patient education patient-physician communication patient engagement health outcomes health disparities cognition medication adherence

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
, pp. 716 - 726

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108942751.059 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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