Generational concern: Russia plans to improve medical literacy of pensioners
In Russia, it is planned to implement a set of initiatives aimed at improving the understanding of health issues among the elderly. These measures are fixed in the official plan for 2025-2030, approved by the Government. Izvestia investigated which event formats would be most effective for an older audience, as well as which topics in the field of health and medicine should be considered priorities for the education of the older generation.
The main accents
Full-time medical schools and meetings based on "silver age clubs" and veterans' homes remain the most effective for the elderly, where doctors can talk about age-related diseases in an accessible form, Sergei Leonov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, told Izvestia. An important addition is television and radio, which help to convey information about alarming symptoms and the need for timely access to specialists.
— The priority topics of training are type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, nutrition, weight control and physical activity, — the deputy emphasized. — The issues of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, neurological disorders, medical examinations and oncological alertness are also relevant, since improving medical literacy directly affects the early detection of diseases and the quality of life in old age.
Improving the medical literacy of the elderly includes informing about chronic diseases, the prevention of age-related changes and the need for timely medical treatment, Yuri Zhulev, co-chairman of the All-Russian Union of Patients, recalled in an interview with Izvestia. Support for physical and mental activity contributes to maintaining health, and the most effective educational formats remain TV shows, visual reminders, and the work of longevity centers.
Today, the elderly have the greatest response to full-time educational programs for patients, including people with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and other chronic diseases, Victoria Presnyakova, director of the Association of Independent Pharmacies, PhD, told Izvestia. Such classes are usually held on the basis of medical institutions or social support organizations and are appreciated for the opportunity of live communication: participants interact directly with a specialist, get to know people of their age, feel included in the group and emotional support.
For people with limited mobility who rarely leave home, the remote format using video communication is more convenient. It allows you to keep in touch with a healthcare professional and communicate with other patients with similar problems, which reduces feelings of isolation and also promotes social activity, she noted.
"The main areas of teaching the elderly the basics of medical literacy are recognizing symptoms of diseases, self—help methods, the basics of responsible self—medication, a healthy lifestyle and ways to prevent diseases, including through dietary supplements," the expert believes.
The formation of medical awareness among older people is an integral part of initiatives that have already shown their effectiveness, such as the Moscow project "Active Longevity," said the expert of the Popular Front. Analytics" by Sergey Voityuk. Currently, it is planned to expand such programs and introduce them in other regions of the country with an emphasis on the active involvement of senior citizens in a variety of fields: from cultural leisure and physical activity to education, socially useful work, volunteering and social tourism.
At the same time, the key issue remains the financial readiness of the regions to ensure the implementation of these initiatives at a comparable level.
"The capabilities of the regions vary significantly, and there is a risk that in regions with limited budgets, older people will find themselves in a less advantageous position," he said. — In such conditions, without the participation and support of the federal level, such programs can be implemented unevenly, which will actually lead to inequality in the access of older citizens to these opportunities.
Health care in old age should be based primarily on prevention, Tatyana Butskaya, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Fatherhood, Motherhood and Childhood, told Izvestia. At the same time, it's never too late to start taking care of yourself. It is important not only to know what is useful, but also to really change your lifestyle.
— Special emphasis should be placed on nutrition. Even in a healthy person, eating the wrong food quickly affects their well-being. For the elderly, it is recommended to reduce fried foods, sugar and salt as much as possible, as they contribute to increased blood pressure," the politician recalled. — Coffee, strong tea and spicy food are also undesirable. Separately, it is worth recalling the dangers of alcohol and smoking, which significantly shorten life expectancy.
At the same time, it is necessary to pay great attention to the dangers of self-medication, Tatiana Butskaya noted. As people age, they often become too confident in their own medical decisions. They prescribe or cancel medications themselves, change dosages, and take many medications at the same time. This is risky because the drugs interact with each other. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the doctor's prescriptions and not violate the medication regimen.
Instead of constantly searching for diseases and medicines, more time should be devoted to movement, communication and active life, Tatiana Butskaya emphasized. An excellent example is the longevity centers, where people of retirement and pre-retirement age engage in sports, creativity, learn new things and communicate. Such classes are useful not only socially, but also from the point of view of preventing cognitive impairments, including dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
— An active and fulfilling life is possible at 55, 65, and later. You just need to be attentive to yourself and listen to the recommendations of professionals," the deputy noted.
The format of the work
Effective education for the elderly requires a combination of several key conditions, Peter Shcherbachenko, associate professor at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, told Izvestia. First of all, live contact with the teacher is important, which allows you to get answers to questions immediately during the lesson.
— Visual support plays an essential role, — the expert is sure. — Materials should be visual and adapted to the age characteristics of the audience. Equally important is the simplicity and clarity of the presentation, corresponding to the audience's perception level.
In his opinion, the optimal formats for working with pensioners are classes focused on active participation. These can be interactive lectures lasting about an hour, where special attention is paid to the clear speech of the lecturer, the use of large print in presentations and regular pauses for discussion.
"Practice—oriented classes, such as learning to measure blood pressure, also show high efficiency," he stressed. — In addition, small groups dedicated to specific health issues, such as diabetes or hypertension, as well as handouts in the form of clear and visual brochures, are useful.
The best results are achieved by a systematic approach in which medical literacy is complemented by elements of digital and financial education, added Petr Shcherbachenko. This reduces fatigue, diversifies the types of activity and promotes a stronger assimilation of information.
Izvestia sent a request to the Ministry of Health, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
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