Poor Functional Health Literacy: the Silent Disability for Older People

In this information age, people are confronted by verbal, visual ann written information. This is especially important in the health field, where information is needed to follow directions, understand prescriptions and undertaken preventive behaviours. If provided in written form, much of this information may he inaccessible to people who cannot adequately read. Although poor literacy skills affect all groups in the population, older adults with fewer years of education seem to be particularly disadvantaged by an increasing reliance on written communication of health information. with older age comes a higher risk of illness and disability and a greater potential need to access the health system. As a result, poor literacy skills of older individuals may directly impact their health statics. This paper explores the link between functional literacy and health, particularly for the older population, provides strategies to practitioners for the management of this problem and suggests research initiatives in this area