樂齡學習中心中高齡學員自覺健康識能之研究

Self-Perceived Health Literacy of Middle- Aged and Older Adult Students in Active Aging Learning Centers

本研究主要以樂齡學習中心罹患慢性疾病學員為研究對象，以焦點團體訪談法探討中高齡學員健康識能與參與健康保健課程的現況。研究結果主要包括：一、中高齡學員健康識能：（一）健康識能低，造成預防慢性疾病之健康信念偏負向；（二）健康識能低，造成預防慢性疾病之健康行為自覺障礙；（三）長期罹患多種慢性疾病，以高血壓疾病最多；（四）積極就醫，醫療指示遵從性低，徒增醫療費用。二、中高齡學員參與樂健康保健課程現況：（一）有興趣學習，但缺乏學習專業醫療照護知識的機會；（二）錯誤的健康促進知識，致使其健康惡化影響生活品質。
本研究建議：一、中高齡學員：（一）應建立新健康價值觀念，增強個人健康促進的角色；（二）其健康識能應以慢性疾病的認識與預防為主。二、樂齡教育機構：（一）應規劃以活躍老化為教育目的之健康促進課程；（二）樂齡健康保健課程應建置增進健康識能的專業學科課程；（三）樂齡健康保健課程應以高血壓預防為首要。

This study recruited middle-age and older adults with chronic illnesses who were students at an active aging learning center; focus groups were used to investigate their health literacy and participation in older adult healthcare programs. The results showed that the health literacy of middle-aged and older adult students was low; this led to inaccurate health beliefs which may fail to prevent chronic diseases and self-perceived barriers to the prevention of chronic diseases. Most participants suffered from a variety of chronic diseases, the most of which was hypertension. Most participants did not seek medical treatment and compliance with physician’s orders was low, which further increased medical costs. In terms of participation in older adult healthcare programs, the results indicated that the participants were interested in learning, yet lacked the opportunity to learn professional medical care knowledge. In addition, incorrect health-related knowledge was detrimental to participants’ health and affected their quality of life.
Based on these results, it is suggested that middle-aged and older adult students reestablish their views on health and reinforce their role in taking care of their personal health. Meanwhile, their health literacy should focus on understanding and preventing chronic diseases. Active aging education institutions should organize health promotion programs focusing on active aging. Older adult health care programs should enhance students’ health literacy and target the prevention of hypertension.