Lee A. Lindquist|Nelia Jain|Karen Tam|Gary J. Martin|David W. Baker
Inadequate Health Literacy Among Paid Caregivers of Seniors
Northwestern University|Northwestern University|Northwestern University|Northwestern University|Northwestern University
many seniors rely paid nonfamilial caregivers maintain independence home caregivers often assist medication reminding activities daily living prior studies examined health literacy levels among paid nonfamilial caregiversto determine health literacy levels healthrelated responsibilities paid nonfamilial caregivers seniorsoneonone facetoface surveys test functional health literacy tofhla administered identify health literacy levels caregivers asked demonstrate skill medication use following directions pill bottles sorting medications pill boxesninetyeight paid unrelated caregivers seniors recruited physician offices caregiver agencies senior shopping areas independent living facilitiesaverage age caregivers 495 years 867 female inadequate health literacy found 357 caregivers 602 caregivers made errors pillbox test medications showing difficulty following label directions healthrelated tasks ie medication reminding sorting dispensing accompanying seniors physician appointments performed 857 caregivers mean age seniors 839 years range 6599 years 821 femalepaid nonfamilial caregivers essential many seniors remain independent maintain health many caregivers perform healthrelated duties 13 inadequate health literacy difficulties following medicationrelated instructions educating caregivers ascertaining health literacy levels prior assigning healthrelated tasks may important process providing optimal care seniors