Health Literacy Month
When we hear the word “literacy” we often think of the ability to read. However, literacy is more than just being able to read or write. Literacy is competence or knowledge in a specific area and functional literacy is the ability to take what is in the world around you and understand and perform tasks pertinent to that area. Did you know that 1 in every 3 adults in Harris County are functionally illiterate, meaning they do not yet have the literacy skills they need to successfully perform their role on the job, in their family, or in society? When it comes to health literacy, the importance of understanding what a physician is asking, reading a prescription, and so much more is literally a matter of survival.
According to Houston’s Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy, adults with low literacy skills are 4 times more likely to report “fair” or “poor” health compared to those with strong skills. So what are we doing to ensure that patients have an opportunity to understand their healthcare providers? Our staff at Home Health Professionals, from our front desk personnel to our nurses are dedicated to patient education. It is our pleasure to work with our patients to ensure that they understand what doctors’ orders are and how to effectively work to recover with the best possible results. Patient education and understanding are essential to ensure a successful outcome and our staff is trained and prepared to make sure each patient, and their loved ones, are equipped for success both while we work with them and after treatments have been completed.
Our goal at HHP is to ensure we are doing the very best we can to ensure our patients are educated and aware of their own needs. Providing patients with booklets that show examples of physical therapy exercises, hands-on education, and a willingness to teach all of our patients is how HHP strives to keep our patient’s needs first.
https://www.houstontx.gov/adultliteracyblueprint/Adult-Literacy-Blueprint-Exec-Summary.pdf
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