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Increasing Health Literacy Among Older Adults:
Why It Matters
Akron Beacon Journal: 7.14.2020 by Diana Spore, MHRB
Prior to the pandemic, we were beginning
to prioritize the need for shared decision-making between older care-recipients
and care-providers, to empower patients to make well-informed choices. As we
attempt to keep everyone informed about the coronavirus public health crisis,
it has become even more important to assess and increase health literacy among
older adults. Seniors are more vulnerable to contract the coronavirus and to
become ill after being exposed. It is crucial for seniors to understand
symptoms and safety precautions. Also, they need to be aware of when it is
necessary to go to health care providers or to the emergency room (including
for reasons other than the coronavirus).
Definition of health literacy
Health literacy is defined by the CDC as the “degree to
which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process and
understand basic health information and services to make appropriate health
decisions.” Health literacy levels are associated with a variety of factors,
including education, culture, age and socioeconomic status.
Lower levels of
health literacy are linked with advanced age. This is related to some changes
associated with aging as well as with impairment in sensory status (hearing,
vision impairment), with physical health status, and with cognitive processing
limitations.
Health literacy is a complicated
concept. Familiarity with the following play in to the level of health
literacy:
➧ basic mathematical skills,
➧ knowledge about health insurance options,
➧ reading comprehension,
➧ communication skills,
➧ understanding about financial matters,
➧ skill in interpreting bar graphs,
➧ adeptness with computer use.
Those who have lower health literacy
levels tend to come into the health care system when they are more ill. They
are more likely to use services that are meant to treat problems or deal with
medical “crises” in an emergency room setting. In contrast, those who have
higher health literacy levels use preventive care and are less likely to use
the emergency room to secure services when problems arise.
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There is a complex relationship between
levels of health literacy and compliance with physician orders at any time, and
during this pandemic. Research findings indicate that patients with limited
health literacy are more likely to be noncompliant. However, there is a
difference between patients being noncompliant due to limited health literacy
versus being noncompliant when they have high health literacy and knowledge
about critical issues. Older patients are more likely to take history and
knowledge about their specific illnesses into account – assessing risks versus
benefits for some tests, medications, types of health service used. During this
pandemic, patients may not schedule and follow-through on tests and procedures
due to fear of being exposed to the coronavirus and contracting it, even with
safety precautions in place. It makes sense that seniors – regardless of health
literacy levels -- might feel it would be best to deal with these matters after
the dust settles.
Health literacy issues during this
pandemic
It is essential to access credible
websites to keep on top of the coronavirus situation, to be able to see
graphics or images that show what the safety precautions are.
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Graphics and images work in “reaching”
patients, in simple yet effective and understandable ways. However, we need to
consider what other types of resources or tools need to be designed for
specific audiences, especially seniors. Also, we need to consider what verbal
communication strategies will be most effective as telehealth is prioritized. READ
MORE ➤➤
Based
on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 13
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old
(college level entry)
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