Can Mobile Health Benefit Elderly with Chronic Conditions?

Aug 25, 2016
It  is common for individuals over 65 to have multiple chronic health conditions, often requiring them to manage multiple prescription medications per day.  This presents an opportunity for digital health to provide vital support for the management of chronic illness in this aging population. However, there is a persistent myth that the elderly are not tech savvy or even personal tech adopters.  But there are numerous examples of the elderly embracing technology, including many  older adults using smart phones or Skyping with their grandchildren. Given the opportunity, aging adults are likely to accept the use of smart phones and related devices to manage their health.
 
AARP has acknowledged the use of technology by seniors through their Health Innovation @ 50+ challenge program. This program is promoting innovation specifically targeted at the elderly, as well as caregivers.  When designing for seniors, there are some special considerations, such as accounting for changes in vision. In general, though, the design should simply be easy to use with a clear value proposition for the user.
 
Major chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be well-managed using digital health tools. Apps that provide information but also management of conditions are the most likely to be adopted. Medication management with tools like reminders and smart pill boxes are particularly popular.  It may be unlikely that seniors would use multiple apps and may prefer a more integrated app or device with multiple health functions to simplify their approach to their health and wellness.