Health Literacy and Numeracy: The Overlooked Challenge for Elders Who Want to Guide Their Own Healthcare.

AGING; CONSUMERS; HEALTH; LITERACY; MEDICAL care; MEDICAL quality control; MEDICAL practice; PATIENT satisfaction; PATIENTS; PROFESSIONAL associations; HEALTH self-care; SELF-efficacy; DECISION making in clinical medicine

The article discusses the importance of understanding and addressing health literacy and numeracy in older adults for them to become empowered healthcare consumers. Topics discussed include need to provide high-quality information on treatment choices and their benefits and disadvantages, consideration of health choices based on their preferences, values, and goals, and role of health professionals in raising awareness of importance of patient involvement in health and healthcare decisions.