Dehydration is a typical problem among the elderly people who live in nursing homes. It is a condition that is costly in terms of health care costs and length of treatment due to the illnesses it causes. It is a condition that can be prevented, and elderly people can benefit from initiatives to increase their fluid intake. This study aimed to find…

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of fall prevention education given to patients with scheduled total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on their fear of falling in the postoperative period. The study had a quasi-experimental design. The study sample included 70 patients. Data were gathered with a patient characteristics form and the Falls…

Primary care physicians play a central role in the process of providing a timely diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent reviews reported that their lack of knowledge and stigmatic beliefs about the disease are important barriers to providing an adequate diagnosis and even affect physicians' referral recommendations for help-seeking (HS).…

Older adults hold many misconceptions about health and wellness that reduce their health literacy. To counter these misconceptions, health educators commonly turn to educational interventions that include myth-busting--making explicit health-related myths and refuting those myths. Because of typical age-related changes in memory functioning, there…

Older diabetic adults should receive memory training to improve their compliance with medication taking. The intervention should include comprehensible medical instructions, assistance with remembering the nutritional values of food, and higher order skills for disease management. (SK)

In 3 experiments older adults (n=27, n=36, and n=27) were given medication instructions as categorized lists, simple lists, or paragraphs. The first group preferred categorized lists; the second answered questions about listed instructions more quickly, and the third group recalled more information from simple lists. List format was considered…

The Patient Learning Styles Questionnaire derived from Canfield and administered to 134 elderly coronary artery disease patients revealed the following order of learning preferences: structure, iconics, listening, direct experience, reading, achievement, affiliation, and eminence. Level of education significantly influenced preferred learning…

In Italy, adults aged 50-76 were trained to transmit medical information to other elders. Results were compared with a group who received information from physicians. Quality of life, health promotion, and social life issues were investigated. (SK)

Patients must be able to understand oral and written instructions and health care materials. Patients with low literacy levels need educational programs and materials designed to teach them how to manage their health needs. (SK)

Australian older adults were trained to act as advocates and role models to inform peers on effective use of medicines. Trainees reported difficulties experienced by older learners when training is too concentrated. Many noted increased self-esteem and personal growth as a result of their involvement. (SK)

Data from primary care physicians attending a workshop on Alzheimer's disease included 21 pretests, 14 posttests, and 17 interviews. Results showed that 41% had used workshop materials to train other health care providers; all felt better able to conduct patient education. (SK)