Health Literacy for an Aging Population: Evaluating Online Tools for the Homebound Over Age 65.

The number of seniors over age 65 aging at home is increasing. They require usable health information to make informed decisions to maintain health and independence. This study partnered with Meals On Wheels, Inc., of Tarrant County, Texas, to assess the homebound over age 65 population's ability to use of National Network of Libraries of Medicine online health information. Only 1% of participants utilized online resources and only 8% of available resources met their needs. Recommendations included using community outreach to extend online formatting, applying AHRQ's "Health Literacy Universal Precautions," to online information, or improving seniors' eHealth skills and access.