Health Literacy for Older Adults: Using Evidence to Build a Model Educational Program

Abstract

HeLP MN Seniors was a pilot program aimed at developing an evidence-based educational program to improve health literacy/health information literacy skills in older adults. A two-part workshop series was created and a pilot test was conducted with residents of a senior living community. After attending the pilot workshops, older adults reported that they used several workshop tools and tips, were more empowered to ask questions, and were more successful in finding online health information. Based upon evidence gathered through formal program evaluation, the pilot curriculum was further customized and developed into a model educational program that has been made available for use by others.

KEYWORDS:

• Evaluation
• health communication
• health information
• health literacy
• information seeking
• senior health

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge Michelle Brasure and Judy Rieke (University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries), Pat Koppa, (Public Health Consultants, LLC) and Deb Wendt (Boutwells Landing Senior Living Facility) for their contributions to the success of the HeLP MN Seniors project.

Notes

*Not all respondents answered every question.

*Not all respondents answered every question.

*The responses to the open-ended questions (Q.15 – Q.17) are not included in Table 3.

**Respondents selecting “I did not attend this workshop” on Q.3 – Q.5 and Q.8 – Q.11 were not included when calculating percentage.