Desafios e Inovação no envelhecimento - Cuidados doente oncológico

The increasing aging of the Portuguese population and the rise in chronic diseases, such as cancer, highlight the urgent need to improve information and prevention efforts. Simple and accessible technologies can help address these challenges by improving access to information and promoting greater interaction with healthcare services. This facilitates inclusion and brings elderly cancer patients closer to healthcare professionals, particularly in regions with lower education levels or those far from urban centers. In this regard, this literature review aimed to analyze the strategies and challenges faced by healthcare professionals in promoting health literacy in a digital society, focusing on elderly groups and those with oncological diseases. In the present study, initiatives were identified to improve health literacy among elderly cancer patients, including educational interventions to empower seniors in managing digital resources, making them more efficient in managing their health and illness. Healthcare professionals play a key role in promoting health literacy among elderly cancer patients in the digital era. However, technological advancements and digital innovations present challenges regarding accessibility and equity in their use. Therefore, strategies must be found to overcome these difficulties, as they are essential for improving health outcomes in the general population and, even more so, among the elderly, who often present with comorbidities.