Health education in the older adult

Abstract

Older adults face a tremendous amount of health disparities. Many of these individuals do not have access to appropriate health education or miss opportunities to receive health promotion material. The purpose of this study is to examine current health education practices in a continuing care community, and develop a plan to better meet the health literacy needs of the residents. The study was designed in the format of an applied research study. Residents were given a questionnaire to determine areas of educational need. Appropriate topics were then selected and researched to create new health education. This health literature was presented with consideration to the literacy level of the audience. The new literature was then presented to a panel of representative residents to critique on its effectiveness. Upon completion the newly generated educational tool can be utilized among all the residents for effective health information delivery.