Exploring Older Adults' Health Information Seeking Behaviors

Abstract 

Objective

To explore older adults' (55-70 years) health information-seeking behaviors.

Methods

Using a qualitative methodology, based on grounded theory, data were collected using in-depth interviews. Participants were community-living, older adults in Toronto, Canada who independently seek nutrition and health information. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative thematic coding framework.

Results

Twenty participants were interviewed, at which point theoretical saturation of data was achieved. Three themes describing older adults' health information-seeking behaviors emerged. This article will focus on one theme: the enabling and disabling experience of seeking nutrition and health information to support an understanding of successful aging in this population.

Conclusions and Implications

These findings are framed within the context of supporting older adults' information-seeking behaviors to contribute to their health and well-being. This is a relevant issue to public health professionals given the global emphasis on successful aging strategies.

Key Words: older adults, information-seeking behavior, health and well-being