Digital Health Technologies Usage among Older Adults for Healthy Ageing during COVID-19: A Review

Abstract

Digital health technologies are being increasingly developed with the aim of allowing older adults to maintain functional independence throughout the old age, a process known as healthy ageing. Such digital health technologies for healthy ageing are expected to mitigate the pandemic effects and improve the quality of life of older adults. However, digital health technology diffusion is still in its early stage and there is slow rate of adoption among elderly people. Little is known regarding the needs of older adults regarding digital health technologies during pandemic. More reviews are needed to investigate on this issue so that engagement strategies for a better-quality digital health solution can be develop for promoting healthy ageing later. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review on the perceptions and digital health technologies usage among older adults for healthy ageing during the COVID-19 epidemic. Summary of digital health technologies issues and recommended strategies for older adults is also presented. Related studies from the articles will be reviewed to highlights potential rooms for improvement for digital health technologies usage within older adults.

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“…A pesar de que, en su mayoría, las personas mayores prefieren vivir en su domicilio residencial, a pesar de que experimenten fragili- De manera complementaria, Arias (2023) proclama la necesidad del apoyo social disponible en la vejez, que permita amortiguar el sentimiento de soledad no deseada, al tiempo que posibilite sumar vínculos y dispositivos digitales, haciendo partícipe la nueva era tecnológica. En esta conectividad digital, la pandemia mundial por la covid-19 ha influido considerablemente, al tratarse de una de las pocas relaciones seguras posibles (Ahmad et al, 2022). Recientemente, parece que hay un auténtico interés en las intervenciones digitales para prevenir la soledad en las personas mayores, a través de aplicaciones para teléfonos inteligentes, smartphones, como estrategia que permita favorecer sus conexiones sociales (Stuart et al, 2023).…”

Usability measures used to enhance user experience in using digital health technology among elderly: a systematic review

“…In addition to better understanding the usability, possible problems, and barriers to adopting and using these technologies by older adults, it is vital to understand the importance of user-centred designs, in which design ideas are based solely on the user's needs and requirements. Many things require the researcher's attention, from the interaction, presentation, content, and functions of the digital health technologies to tailor to older adults [15].…”