Senior Health Literacy

Health literacy, the ability to obtain, understand, and use health information, is essential for making informed health decisions. Elderly populations struggle because they lack an understanding of technological advancements and medical terms. These issues can lead to higher medical debt, poor management of illnesses, and great risks to living an unhealthy lifestyle. Our research will answer what medical interventions exist to close the health literacy gap in those over the age of 65 years. To address this question, our research will highlight doctor-patient relations, physical devices that exist to aid the elderly population, and technological advances that are used to close the health literacy gap. Using national databases and peer-reviewed research, we will compile accurate research addressing each area listed above. This topic is a determinant of health because low health literacy is directly linked to higher hospitalization rates and medication errors. The expected outcome of this research is to highlight how closing the elderly health literacy gap will have a positive impact on America’s health and well-being.