What does Low Health Literacy Look Like in Seniors?

·                       Health Literacy is the ability to make healthy choices, navigate the health care system, and respond appropriately in a public health crisis. Our federal government estimates that only 1 in 10 Americans are proficient at health literacy skills, with that number dropping to 1 in 33 for mental health literacy.

·                   Seniors are known to lose their health literacy skills as they age.    Having two or more chronic illnesses (and mild hearing loss is considered a chronic illness) is linked to losing health literacy skills as well. People who have low health literacy skills are at much higher risk of serious injury and premature death than people whose health literacy skills are better.

             While I usually dislike blogs with lists, in this case, the list below is designed to help you see whether or not you or your aging loved one is risking their health and safety unnecessarily.  If you can see these behaviors in yourself or your loved ones, please contact me at info@healthliteracyforall.org to learn how to live a healthy future.

·          So what are some of the behaviors that are linked to low health literacy, especially in seniors?

o   Inability to understand or follow the doctor’s orders

o   Forgetting to take their medication, or taking it wrong. Even when they are justifying their reasons for not taking it

o   Inability to judge their own driving skills

o   Unable to make decisions based on safety and health issues. They often argue independence over safety and well being

o   Cannot read expiration dates on products. Especially hazardous as they often lose their sense of taste/smell as well.

o   Does not know what medications they are taking or why they are taking them.

o   Cannot operate tv, remote, cell phone that they could use previously

o   Not prepared to deal with bad weather. When it snows, they expect you to be there now to shovel them out.

o   Doesn’t keep up with personal care as they did a few months/years ago.

o   Doesn’t maintain their home as they did. Hoarding or throwing out important things.

o   Refuses to discuss the future, wills, life insurance, housing options, what the doctor is telling them.

o   They shove mail places rather than dealing with the paperwork as it comes in. if you look, you may find late notices and cancellations.