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Older Adults: What Challenges Might Older Adults Have?

  1. Cognitive Challenges
    Aging results in normal changes in cognition. Three specific changes occur: reduced processing speed, greater tendency to be distracted, and reduced capacity to process and remember new information (working memory).

  2. Visual Challenges
    Many older adults have problems with vision. About 2/3 of adults with vision problems are older than 65.

  3. Hearing Challenges
    Hearing loss is common in older adults, affecting 1 in 3 people older than 60 and half of those older than 85.

The Basics

The following sections address health conditions that can impact older adults' health literacy. Effective strategies are provided for you to consider when working with older adults.

Strategies

Cognitive Challenges

  • Repeat essential information
  • Focus on the important meaning of the information, that is, the gist
  • Use plain language
  • Communicate directions and advice that need to be followed
  • Use reminders to aid memory, such as brochures and pamphlets
  • Include skill building with information activities to reinforce meaning

Visual Challenges

  • Make information easy to see and read

    Contrast: Text should be printed with the highest possible contrast. Very high contrast is done best using black text on a white background.

    Font Size: 16 to 18 point size font or larger is best to use when developing materials for older adults.

    Spacing Between Lines of Text: People with low vision may have difficulty finding the beginning of the next line when reading, so it is preferable for space between lines of text to be at least 25 percent of the point size.

    Paper Finish: If printing materials for older adults, do not use paper with a glossy finish because it can cause problems with glare.

  • Consider providing audio information whenever necessary
  • Reduce the amount of text

Hearing Challenges

  • Limit background noise
  • Speak clearly with more volume
  • Do not chew gum or eat while speaking
  • Always talk face to face

For more information on healthy aging and these topics, see CDC's Healthy Aging Program

For more information on cognitive challenges and solutions, see NIH National Institute on Aging

For more information on visual challenges and solutions, see NIH National Eye Institute

For more information on hearing challenges and solutions, see NIH National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

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How Do Older Adults Make Decisions? Steps to Ensure Older Adults Can Understand and Use Health Information

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  • Page last reviewed: August 22, 2011
  • Page last updated: August 22, 2011
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