SeniorHealth Tracker application to support the elderly: technological innovation leveraging humanisation

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Increased longevity due to medical and technological advances has led to a growing elderly population.
• This demographic shift presents challenges for caregivers and necessitates innovative support solutions.
• There is a need for tools that promote independent living and safety for older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a preliminary proof of concept for a digital tool (mobile app prototype) supporting elderly independence and safety.
• To facilitate communication among older adults, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
• To explore the potential of health apps in addressing the social determinants of health for the ageing population.

Main Methods:

• Application of the User-Centred Design methodology for prototype development.
• Development of a mobile application prototype for elderly health monitoring.
• Conducting a usability evaluation of the developed prototype.

Main Results:

• The study provides a preliminary proof of concept for a digital tool to support elderly care.
• The prototype demonstrated potential use-cases for improving the quality of life for older adults.
• Usability evaluation results suggest the tool's potential for enhancing elderly independence and safety.

Conclusions:

• Combining technology with human support shows promise for improving elderly care and empowerment.
• The developed prototype offers a practical approach to enhancing the quality of life for an ageing population.
• Further large-scale evaluations are required to validate the preliminary findings and implications for health app accessibility.