Poor functional health literacy : the silent disability for older people

Abstract

In this information age, people are confronted by verbal, visual and written information. This is especially important in the health field, where information is needed to follow directions, understand prescriptions and undertake preventive behaviours.
If provided in written form, much of this information
may be inaccessible to people who cannot adequately
read. Although poor literacy skills affect all groups in
the population, older adults with fewer years of
education seem to be particularly disadvantaged by
an increasing reliance on written communication of
health information. With older age comes a higher risk
of illness and disability and a greater potential need
to access the health system. As a result, poor literacy skills of older individuals may directly impact their
health status. This paper explores the link between
functional literacy and health, particularly for the
older population, provides strategies to practitioners
for the management of this problem, and suggests
research initiatives in this area.