Why Health Literacy Matters to Seniors
Knowledge is power, as the saying goes. This is especially true as we age into our seventies and eighties, and our bodies become more susceptible to illnesses and injuries. Taking charge of one’s overall health by becoming more educated can help older adults in the Wilkes-Barre, PA, area make adjustments so they feel their best throughout their golden years.
Health literacy is helpful for those who support the elderly through at-home assistance, as well. Knowing about the many factors that contribute to their well-being allows you and your older loved ones to make informed, confident decisions related to their physical, mental, and cognitive health.
The information below can serve as a basic guide on what health literacy is, its importance for seniors, and local health resources here in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
What Is Health Literacy?
Literacy doesn’t just pertain to the A-B-Cs. According to the National Institute of Health, beefing up on your personal health literacy enables individuals to more readily discover information and services that can help them make better decisions when it comes to their health and wellbeing.
For seniors and other vulnerable adults in Forty Fort, being a bit more inquisitive can have a whole range of implications:
- Make informed decisions about diet, appropriate exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits
- Find decent healthcare near you
- Understand medical instructions, including medications and treatment plans recommended by your doctor
- More accurately interpret health reports and lab results
- Evaluate health information from sources like the news, social media, the internet, and advice from loved ones
Not only does health literacy help empower seniors to take proper care of themselves, but it also lets them know what NOT to do, such as following misleading information or seeking bogus healthcare treatments.
The Power of Health Literacy for Older Adults
While health literacy is crucial at any age, it is especially important for older adults who may struggle from time to time with physical or cognitive ailments. The older we get, the more prone we are to illnesses, chronic health conditions, accidents, and injuries. Helping an older loved one develop healthy lifestyle habits is one thing; but when they decide to become more informed themselves, they are more likely to follow smart preventative measures to reduce these risks, enabling them to live more safely and independently.
The three main reasons that health literacy is essential for older adults, even if they are generally in good health, are:
To Make Informed Health Decisions: Armed with accurate information, seniors can make more informed decisions about treatment options, insurance plans, and the risks and benefits of each decision.
To Prevent Misunderstandings: With so much questionable information available, it’s critical to know what is accurate and what is not. Health literacy prevents misunderstandings and errors that could put seniors in harm’s way.
To Boost Your Confidence and Independence: The more informed an older person is, the higher their confidence will be. Being proactive about their well-being can also help older adults maintain their independence for longer, no matter where they live.
Healthcare Resources for Wilkes-Barre Seniors
There’s a lot out there, and some information changes as we learn more as a society. To make matters a little easier, Wilkes-Barre seniors should check out two reliable, local healthcare resources that make their programming open to the public:
Pennsylvania Health Literacy Program: We are one of 20 states that prioritize health literacy and offer training for healthcare providers and citizens statewide.
Wilkes-Barre Health Department: The department’s mission is to prevent disease and promote and protect the health of local citizens through public health services and policies.
Three final tips for upping your health game:
- Have open, honest discussions with healthcare providers
- Use technology to fill in any key knowledge gaps
- Get support from in-home caregivers if needed
We Offer Compassionate Care to Local Seniors
Visiting Angels of Wilkes-Barre, PA, is proud to provide award-winning in-home care services to older adults throughout Luzerne, Columbia, and many other parts of Wyoming County. We can customize our services to help seniors take charge of their health through meal planning and preparation, as well as driving them to doctor’s appointments if necessary.
Contact us today to learn more. Give us a call at 570-270-6700 with any questions and we will do our best to answer them.