Health Literacy: What It Means For You
Health Literacy is the ability of the individual to understand basic health information and make good health decisions. Most health information comes from the doctor or other health provider. It is very important to understand personal health information. People who understand and act on the information they receive are likely to experience good outcomes and feel better faster.
Health literacy is not simply the ability to read. It includes the ability to understand instructions on prescription drug bottles, appointment slips, medical education brochures, doctor’s directions and consent forms, and the ability to negotiate complex health care systems.
Good communication of health information is a two-way street. At AW Health Care, we want you to know that we work hard to provide you the right information in an understandable way. This includes face-to-face, printed and website information. AW encourages you to ask questions, make good choices and act in compliance with agreed-to care recommendations.
Helpful Questions to Ask
Please know that AW Healthcare has two convenient offices in St. Louis and one in Illinois to serve Medicare, Medicaid and private pay patients. AW can patients with these common health questions.
- Why do I need this test?
- When will I get results?
- Can you explain my test results?
- What are the possible complications?
- Which hospital is best for my needs?
- Can you read the label on my pill bottle?
- What is this drug for?
- What are the main side effects?
- Will this medicine interact with medicines that I’m already taking?
AW Patients are AWake to Better Health
- Patients can let AW know if they don’t understand. It’s are job to explain things clearly.
- Patients ask for our easy-to-understand information to take home!
- We offer services in many languages so patients can get help in their language!
- We help patients to know their medicines!
AW recommends patients ask their doctor or provider for a written list of your medicines that includes the name of the medicine, how much to take and when to take them and what the medicine is for. We can provide patients with our medicine booklet to document that information. Patients can also use a pill box planner to remind you when to take their medicines. If the medicine is too expensive, the doctor may know about options. AW recommends you not start or stop a medicine without talking to your doctor or provider.
AW Healthcare is a provider of home health, personal care, outpatient physical and aquatic therapy, adult daycare and transportation. We improve lives by caring for the needs of the “whole person.
For more information call us at (314) 726-5600
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