When it comes to health, having information is important—but understanding that information is just as important. Health Literacy Month is an opportunity to remind older adults, families, and caregivers that everyone deserves to feel informed, confident, and involved in their healthcare.
From understanding medication instructions to asking questions during a doctor’s appointment, health literacy can play an important role in everyday health and caregiving.
What Is Health Literacy?
Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, evaluate, and use health information to make appropriate decisions about your health.
Healthcare information can sometimes feel overwhelming. Medical terminology, medication instructions, test results, treatment plans, and online health information may not always be easy to understand.
That is why asking questions and seeking clarification are important parts of being an informed patient or caregiver.
You should never feel embarrassed to say:
“Could you explain that in a simpler way?”
Understanding your care instructions is more important than pretending you understand them.
Make the Most of Healthcare Visits
Doctor’s appointments can move quickly, and it can be easy to forget important questions once you’re in the room.
Older adults and caregivers can prepare by writing down symptoms, concerns, medications, and questions before an appointment.
During the visit, consider:
- Asking questions about unfamiliar medical terms
- Taking notes about important instructions
- Asking what to expect next
- Confirming how and when medications should be taken
- Asking what symptoms or changes should be reported
- Repeating instructions back to the healthcare provider to make sure they were understood
Caregivers can also help older loved ones keep important health information organized and make sure questions don’t get overlooked.
Be Careful With Health Information Online
Today, health information is only a few clicks away. While the internet can be a useful source of information, not everything shared online is accurate or appropriate for everyone.
Before following health advice found on social media, consider:
Who provided the information?
Look at the source. Is the information coming from a qualified healthcare professional or a reputable health organization?
Is there evidence behind the claim?
Personal stories can be meaningful, but an individual’s experience does not necessarily mean the same approach will work for everyone.
Does the claim sound too good to be true?
Be cautious of promises of instant results, miracle cures, or products that claim to solve a wide range of health problems.
When you’re uncertain about something you see online, discussing it with a healthcare professional can help you determine whether the information is appropriate for your situation.
Health Literacy Is Especially Important in Caregiving
Caregivers often help with many parts of an older adult’s daily care. This may include keeping track of appointments, communicating with healthcare providers, organizing medications, and following care instructions.
Having a clear understanding of those instructions can help caregivers provide more consistent support.
Families can encourage better health communication by creating an environment where questions are welcomed.
Instead of saying, “You should already know this,” try:
“Let’s make sure we understand this together.”
Sometimes, taking an extra moment to explain something can make healthcare information feel much less overwhelming.
Small Questions Can Make a Big Difference
Health literacy doesn’t require knowing every medical term or understanding every detail of healthcare.
Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as asking:
- “What does this mean?”
- “How should this medication be taken?”
- “What should we watch for?”
- “When should we call the doctor?”
- “What happens next?”
- “Can you explain that again?”
These questions can help patients and caregivers become more active participants in healthcare conversations.
This Health Literacy Month, Keep Learning
Being informed is an ongoing process. Health information can change, questions can arise, and every person’s healthcare needs are different.
This Health Literacy Month, encourage the older adults and families in your life to:
Ask questions.
Check reliable sources.
Take notes.
Speak up when something isn’t clear.
Talk with qualified healthcare professionals.
Because when people understand their health information, they can feel more prepared to participate in their care.
At Absolute Home Care Plus, we believe that caring for the ones you love includes helping them feel heard, respected, and supported.
When the Ones You Love Matter. 💜