Literacy and Creativity in Older People Essay by Top Papers

Cutilli (2007, p. 43) is concerned with health literacy which she defines as "individuals' ability to understand their healthcare issues and effectively care for themselves". Poor literacy causes severe problems for patients and poor outcomes, and it also results in higher health care costs. In elderly people, health literacy can range from good to inadequate but about half of older people have poor literacy skills. In relation to health, the older person needs literacy skills to read prescriptions, appointment slips, and informed consent forms. As matters stand, complex information is offered on such topics as anticoagulant therapy for patients with low literacy and the material is also culturally insensitive.