Health Literacy for Older Adults: Tips and Resources for Safety and Wellbeing

National Health Literacy Month, observed every October, aims to help you understand health information and learn how to advocate for yourself when receiving medical instructions from a health professional. For older adults especially, this can build confidence in navigating their healthcare plans, understanding how to take prescriptions, and communicating with healthcare providers to make informed personal health decisions.

What Is Health Literacy?

Health literacy describes a person's ability to find, understand, and use health information and services to make well-informed decisions for themselves and others.

There are many aspects to health literacy, including the ability to:

• Read, listen to, and understand medical instructions from a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist

• Confidently prepare and ask questions of medical providers during an appointment

• Think critically about health information presented in the media

• Apply reasonable skepticism to health information before applying it to oneself

Why Is Health Literacy Important for Older Adults?

Health literacy is important for everyone, and it is especially important for older adults for a few reasons:

• Older adults are more likely to have complex medical concerns, including chronic health conditions that require daily and often lifelong medication management.

• Older adults are more likely to be taking more than one prescription medication. They must be aware of possible interactions that prescriptions can have with over-the-counter medicines, including herbs and vitamins, and even certain foods.

• The medical system has become more complex and is frequently changing, making it hard for anyone to keep up with how to be their own advocate.

• Being health literate can save time and money and help prevent costly medical mistakes.

What Are Some Health Literacy Tips or Strategies Older Adults Can Use to Improve Their Healthcare?

There are many easy-to-learn tips and strategies that older adults can use to improve their healthcare. Here are a few to get you started:

Before a Medical Appointment

• Write Down Questions: Jot down 3–5 of the most important concerns you want to address with the medical provider.

• Bring All Medications in Original Bottles to the Appointment: Put all your current prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins into a bag and bring them with you so your doctor can look at the actual bottles. Alternatively, if you have a thorough list including medication names, dosages, and schedules, you can bring that with you.

• Invite a Trusted Advocate to Your Appointment: Ask a family member, neighbor, or friend to go with you to help take notes and remember what the doctor says. If you don't have someone who can accompany you, bring a smartphone and, with your provider's permission, record instructions into a note-taking app.

During Your Appointment

• Repeat Instructions to Show Understanding: Use the "teach-back" trick by telling the doctor, "To make sure I understand, you want me to..." and repeat the instructions in your own words.

• Slow Down the Doc on Jargon: Never feel embarrassed to interrupt the provider and ask, "Can you explain what that word means in simple language?" You have the right to ask the provider to slow down, clarify terms and instructions, and address any other concerns you may have.

• Ask for the Written Plan: Before leaving, ask the nurse or doctor for a printed summary of your visit and any new instructions in a large, easy-to-read font.

Managing Your Healthcare Beyond the Doctor's Office

• Use One Pharmacy: Fill all your prescriptions at one pharmacy location so the pharmacy can check for potential drug interactions, which can be dangerous.

• Ask for Easy-Open, Large-Print Bottles: If you struggle with arthritis or reading tiny print, ask your pharmacist for large-print labels and non-childproof caps (if there are no small children in your home on a regular basis).

• Create a Visible Health Station: Keep your medical calendar, pill organizers, and emergency phone numbers in one central, brightly lit area in your home. This is also helpful in the event of an emergency, as paramedics can easily find information about the medications you are taking. (Be sure medications are out of reach of children when they visit.)

• Identify a Health Buddy: Ask a family member or friend to be your "health buddy" – someone who will sit with you when you need to make appointments, add them to a calendar, and call your health insurance company when needed. They can listen, take notes, and help you navigate the next steps to ensure timely and proper care is received.

• Be a Skeptical Consumer: From anti-aging to improved mobility and vitality, the volume of health information in popular media is overwhelming. Before you choose to use a product or supplement, or adopt any new dietary or health habit, review the information with your personal physician to ensure it is safe for you.

Supporting Health and Independence at Everbrook Senior Living Communities

For older adults, taking control of your medical care through improved health literacy is one of the best ways to stay healthy, safe, and independent. At Everbrook Senior Living, each of our communities in the New England region supports health and independence through the Wellness 4 Later Life Program. Our professional staff designs personalized programming to suit each resident's unique lifestyle and wellness needs.

We also run a variety of workshops to help older adults develop the health literacy skills that can keep them healthy and safe. Contact us today to learn more about the range of senior living residences at Everbrook!

Resources

NIH Health Literacy Fact Sheet