HeLP MN Seniors: A Health Literacy Program for Seniors in Your Community Anne Beschnett, MLIS Liaison and Outreach Librarian, Bio-Medical Library, University of Minnesota Alisha Ellwood, MA, LMFT Chair, Minnesota Health literacy Partnership Health Improvement Project Manager, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Learning objectives After this session, you will be able to: Understand and present information from the HeLP MN Seniors program Utilize measurement resources to enhance program effectiveness Apply strategies and techniques to empower seniors to ask questions and be more successful in finding online health information

Health & Seniors There are over 36 million adults over the age of 65 in the U.S. 1 Seniors make up 13% of the population, but 36% of all hospital stays 2 25% consider themselves in fair or poor health 1

Health literacy level by age National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL), US Dept of Education 3

Seniors and the internet As of 2009, 38% of seniors are turning to the Internet for information, up from 18% in 2007 and 7% in

National Network of Libraries of Medicine Support NN/LM GMR Consumer Health Subcontract Funding to cover staff time, program materials, website re-design, marketing efforts

Key Partners University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries Minnesota Health Literacy Partnership Boutwells Landing Senior Living Community Public Health Consultants

HeLP MN Seniors Goal To develop an evidence-based program to improve the health literacy of seniors in Minnesota Objectives Design and pilot a health literacy training program Develop and reproduce a training guide Expand HeLP MN Seniors across Minnesota

Alignment with National Call to Action Promote changes in the healthcare system that improve health information, communication, informed decision-making, and access to health services (goal 2) Support and expand local efforts to provide adult education…in the community (goal 4) Increase the dissemination and use of evidence- based health literacy practices and interventions (goal 7)

Project Overview - Year one Planning and Implementation Conduct needs assessment Develop training and workshop evaluation materials Hold workshops Complete outcomes assessment

Project Overview - Year two Evaluation and Promotion Analyze evaluation results Revise training materials Promote training program Facilitate implementation of program throughout Minnesota

Needs Assessment Many concerned about staying informed Many worried about others ability to self- advocate Main sources of information are providers, information sheets, and Internet resources Many concerned about drugs, healthcare costs, and access to personal health information

HeLP MN Seniors - Our program Two, 1½ hour workshops Health Literacy: Communicating Effectively with Health Care Providers Finding Accurate and Reliable Health Information on the Internet Each workshop had a pre and post test Workshops were advertised in facility newsletters, by postcards, closed circuit TV, posters, fliers and registration events

Workshop I: Communicating with Health Care Providers Tips for communicating effectively with health care providers / making the most of their health care experience including: Asking questions Creating a visit plan AskMe3: know the answers Discuss current health topics

Workshop II: Finding Health Information on the Internet Evaluating information on the Internet Hands-on demonstrations MedlinePlus My Health Minnesota -> Go Local NIH Senior Health AHRQ: Questions are the Answer

Results Participants showed increases on every post- test measure Participants used several workshop tools including visit plans and MedlinePlus Participants felt more empowered to ask questions and more successful in finding online health information

Website Materials Website materials include: A program guide with helpful tips A needs assessment focus group guiding questions Workshop presentations with instructor scripts Workshop handouts and pre- and post-tests A post-workshop survey A website demonstration guide Contact information

Next steps / Action plan What opportunities exist in your community? Who can help?

Questions? Contact Information: Anne Beschnett, MLISAlisha Ellwood, MA, LMFT Phone: Phone: References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2008). Older Persons Health [Internet]. NCHS Faststats Available from: Elixhause,r A., Yu, K., Steiner, C., Bierman, A.S. (2000). Hospitalization in the United States, Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Available at: Kutner, M., Greenberg, E., Jin,Y., and Paulsen, C. (2006). The Health Literacy of Americas Adults: Results From the 2003 NationalAssessment of Adult Literacy (NCES 2006– 483).U.S.Department of Education.Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics. Available from: 4. Rainie, L. (2010). Internet, broadband, and cell phone statistics. Washington, D.C: Pew Internet & American Life Project. Available at: