Self-Care and Medical Treatment-Seeking Behaviors of Older Adults in Rural Areas of Taiwan: Coping With Low Literacy

Abstract

This study focused on ascertaining the effects of low literacy on the self-care and medical treatment-seeking behaviors of older adults. A qualitative research method was adopted in this study wherein a semistructured questionnaire was used to conduct one-on-one interviews with 35 older adults with a primary school education or less who lived in rural areas of Taiwan. The results indicated that low literacy was an evident limitation to their range of activities, and the assistance of family members was required for medical treatment seeking and medication administration. The low self-esteem attributable to low literacy had a negative influence on doctor–patient communication. Older adults had a lower awareness of illnesses and their severity, and this insufficient health literacy resulted in delayed medical treatment. In addition, older adults rarely took the initiative to receive preventive services. This study suggests integrating literacy and health education program for older adults with low literacy.

Help-Seeking Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review

“…Informal support may also encourage seeking of formalized support such as that of healthcare professionals, or a blending of informal and formal support seeking may occur. However, even if older adults are at a stage where they are willing to seek help from formal avenues, there are structural barriers (e.g., costs or location) that can prevent them from doing so (Chen, 2020; Chung et al, 2018; Johnston et al, 2010; Murata et al, 2010).…”

“…When it came to informal supports, the availability of such often reduced the need or desire for formal support, as the older adult’s concerns were alleviated by those around them (Begum et al, 2012; Hohls et al, 2021; Lau et al, 2014; Mechakra-Tahiri et al, 2011). Here, social support allowed opportunities to exchange health information, disclose, and receive endorsements/recommendations for treatments (Aubut et al, 2021; Begum et al, 2012; Chen, 2020; Chung et al, 2018; Frost et al, 2020; Hurst et al, 2013; Lawrence et al, 2006; McCabe et al, 2017; Mechakra-Tahiri et al, 2011; Polacsek et al, 2019; Schneider et al, 2014). Unsolicited social support also facilitated help-seeking, when decisions for the older adult were made on their behalf by others (Begum et al, 2012; Canvin et al, 2018; Lawrence et al, 2006), simply offered or given (Miller et al, 2016) or when family and friends would influence, persuade, or coerce older adults to seek help (Dollard et al, 2014; Elias & Lowton, 2014; Hurst et al, 2013; Johnston et al, 2010).…”

“…Older adults often indicated the preference to not want others involved in their health challenges when help-seeking was viewed as a threat to their independence (Aubut et al, 2021; Canvin et al, 2018; Elias & Lowton, 2014; Frost et al, 2020; Johnston et al, 2010; Lee et al, 2020; Miller et al, 2016). Related to this were desires to be seen in a positive light and notions of not wanting to bother others or be a burden (Begum et al, 2012; Canvin et al, 2018; Chen, 2020; Clarke et al, 2014; Dollard et al, 2014; Elias & Lowton, 2014; Gore-Gorszewska, 2020; Horton & Dickinson, 2011; Hurst et al, 2013; Johnston et al, 2010; Lawrence et al, 2006; Lee et al, 2020; Miller et al, 2016). As such, for help-seeking to occur, older adults had to view this behavior as a functional way of increasing their own independence.…”

“…In regards to accessibility and awareness of formal services, older adults expressed related issues such as costs, long wait times, short consultation times or having busy schedules as help-seeking barriers (Djukanović et al, 2015; Dollard et al, 2014; Frost et al, 2020; Garg et al, 2017; Garrido et al, 2011; Hannaford et al, 2019; Kagan et al, 2018; Lawrence et al, 2006; Lee et al, 2012, 2020; Murata et al, 2010; Polacsek et al, 2019; Schneider et al, 2014; Waterworth et al, 2018). Location and lack of available transportation also made it more difficult for older adults to seek help, especially among those living in rural areas or those with physical constraints (Chen, 2020; Chung et al, 2018; Frost et al, 2020; Garg et al, 2017; Garrido et al, 2011; Gur-Yaish et al, 2016; Mukherjee, 2019; Murata et al, 2010; Polacsek et al, 2019; Waterworth et al, 2018). Furthermore, a lack of available information and awareness of services was evident (Aubut et al, 2021; Chung et al, 2018; Djukanović et al, 2015; Garrido et al, 2011; Gore-Gorszewska, 2020; Horton & Dickinson, 2011; Lee et al, 2020; Mukherjee, 2019; Polacsek et al, 2019; Tsai & Tsai, 2007), where limited knowledge also limited older adults’ understanding of the severity of their issue.…”

Impactos do letramento funcional em saúde de idosos com a adesão medicamentosa: revisão integrativa

“…Um resultado importante foi que os pacientes com LFS limitado tendem a não saber expor claramente suas condições e apresentam dificuldades em compreender as bulas e instruções médicas, por isso, confiam em explicações verbais, pistas visuais e demonstrações diretas para aprender almejando informações mais específicas e que levem em conta suas capacidades e especificidades (Chen, 2020). Isso chama atenção para a importância do dialogo acessível com o grau de compreensão do paciente, ou seja, é fundamental a boa educação em saúde, realizando uma orientação mais focalizada, que favoreça a adesão à medicação (Flores-Gomes et al, 2022).…”