Health literacy and successful aging in older adults: A predictive correlational design: Health literacy and successful aging

This study aimed to measure health literacy and successful aging level and their predisposing factors among older adults. A predictive correlational design was performed. The study was completed with 450 older individuals, resulting in a participation rate of 94.9 %. The risk of inadequate and limited health literacy was higher in older adults who were single (3.4 times), those with chronic diseases (2.93 times), and those with medium/poor health perception (3.1 times). A multiple regression model consisting of age, health perception, and health literacy level explained 22 % of the variance in successful aging. The study concluded that health literacy and successful aging were predictive factors of each other. Marital status, education level, having chronic disease, regular medication use, and health perception predicted the health literacy level. Moreover, age, health perception, and health literacy level are significant predictors of successful aging.