The effects of enhancing health literacy program on health literacy and fall prevention behaviors among caregivers of older adults

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study aimed to examine the effects of a health literacy enhancement program on health literacy and fall prevention behaviors among caregivers of older adults. The sample consisted of 60 participants, divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 participants in each group. The experimental tool used in the study was the health literacy enhancement program tailored to improve health literacy and fall prevention behaviors among caregivers. Data collection instruments included 1) a questionnaire assessing caregivers’ perceptions and understanding of older adult healthcare, and 2) a fall prevention behavior assessment tool for caregivers. The reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s alpha) of these instruments were 0.86 and 0.84, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and independent sample t-test.

The findings revealed that 1) after participating in the program, the experimental group showed significantly higher mean scores in health literacy and fall prevention behaviors compared to their pre-intervention scores (p < .05). Furthermore, 2) post-intervention, the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores in health literacy and fall prevention behaviors than the control group (p < .05).

Recommendations: The findings suggest that healthcare professionals can implement the health literacy enhancement program to prevent falls among older adults and adapt it to suit the health literacy levels of caregivers.