Digital shift in healthcare is leaving older people behind, study warns

A study on aging literacy finds that the digital shift in healthcare is leaving older populations behind and suggests steps for organizations to integrate older adults into the changes.

The work, coordinated by psychologist Tania Gaspar de Matos, included the participation of organizations such as the Portuguese Laboratory for a Healthy Work Environment (LABPATS), the University of Luzofona, the General Directorate of Health and the Institute of Environmental Health/University of Lisbon. designed to characterize the literacy and digital literacy levels of the retirement age population as they age.

In conversation with Lusa, Tania Gaspar de Matos recalls the importance of digitizing information, but emphasizes that it is essential that this transformation does not leave people behind.

“There are people who feel like they are falling behind,” warns the researcher, reporting some of the answers given by respondents to the team of psychologists involved in the study: “They say that ‘everything is on the Internet today, but older people don’t have access to it.’” and ask not to look at older people as if they know everything.”

Tania Gaspar de Matos identifies the “three pillars” of literacy—the ability to access information, understand it, and transform it into decision-making—and insists, “If we don’t have these three components, we don’t have literacy. “.

In terms of those most at risk when accessing information and healthcare, the study identifies women, older people (81 years and older), participants with low levels of education, those with chronic illnesses, and residents of autonomous regions.

The study, which also involved the Portuguese Association of Psychogerontology (APP), RUTIS (Senior University Network) and the Portuguese Society for Health Literacy, is included in wider work the team is developing in the area of ​​literacy across the life course.

To collect data on older people, 684 retired participants from mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions were interviewed, more than half of whom had at least one chronic disease.

Data on older adults, to be released this Wednesday, shows two in three have moderate levels of health literacy, with more than 30% reporting difficulty “understanding information about recommended screenings or tests” and deciding how to protect themselves. y disease based on information provided through the media and “an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of various treatment options.”

More than half report difficulty “finding information to address mental health issues.”

Regarding the importance of health literacy, the researcher states, “Most chronic diseases are preventable. If we had developed the preliminary skills, many chronic diseases would not even occur and would have less of an impact on a person’s life.”

Regarding “e-literacy” in healthcare, the results show that most participants do not know what resources are, how to use the Internet, say they lack the skills, and have difficulty assessing the quality of information available on the Internet. Internet. It also highlights the lack of security in using health information available online for decision making.

“These people show more trust in the information conveyed by health professionals,” says Tania Gaspar de Matos, keeping in mind the importance of developing specific training for these professionals to help older people access and interpret information.

People with higher levels of health literacy and e-literacy demonstrate “better lifestyles related to better sleep, nutrition, exercise and stress habits”, as well as demonstrating better mental health indicators (well-being, happiness and more stress management skills) and less psychological symptoms (anxiety, stress and depression).