Jarred S. Bennett|Patricia A. Boyle|Bryan D. James|David A. Bennett
Correlates of health and financial literacy in older adults without dementia
Rush University Medical Center|Rush University Medical Center|Rush University Medical Center|Rush University Medical Center
recent research begun recognize important influence literacy levels affect health wellbeing especially older adults study focuses health financial literacy two domains literacy previous research suggested may significantly related health wellbeing study examines relation health financial literacy health promoting behaviors health status among communitybased older personswe conducted crosssectional study using data rush memory aging project communitybased cohort study aging northeastern illinois study consisted 556 older persons without dementia determined clinical evaluation health financial literacy measured using series questions designed assess ability understand process health financial information concepts numeracy two scores averaged yield total literacy score health promoting behaviors including engagement cognitive physical social activities assessed using self report measures indicators heath status including cognition global cognition five specific cognitive abilities functional status basic instrumental activities daily living mobility disability mental health depressive symptoms loneliness assessedin series regression models adjusted age sex education higher total literacy scores associated frequent participation health promoting behaviors including cognitive physical social activities p values 005 higher total literacy scores associated higher cognitive function less disability better mental health p values 005 literacy remained associated health promoting behaviors health status fully adjusted models also controlled income number chronic medical conditions findings similar health financial literacy except health literacy strongly associated health promoting behaviors whereas financial literacy strongly associated mental healthhealth financial literacy associated frequent engagement health promoting behaviors better health status older persons without dementia