IoT-based health monitoring and social welfare access for Thailand's older adults

Thailand's population is shifting, with 20% aged 60 and over in 2022, leading to healthcare and social welfare challenges. Digital technologies, particularly those using IoT, may improve health outcomes for older adults but face hurdles due to low digital literacy and a digital divide between urban and rural areas. This study investigated the accessibility and obstacles older adults encounter with social welfare services while assessing the effectiveness of current welfare programs.

Data was gathered from 2,005 older adults through quantitative surveys regarding demographics, welfare accessibility, and the digital divide. A 6-month pilot program involving 80 users tested the daily usage of KATI smartwatches, WBP202 blood pressure monitors, and Contour Plus ELITE glucometers. All qualitative interviews, satisfaction ratings, and TAM data were directly supplied by the 80 older adult participants with the assistance of interviewers. Advanced features (alerts, SOS, predictive analytics, welfare integration) are planned for future scale-up.

Among the 2,005 respondents (mean age 68.9 years, 76.6% female), 64.2% had a monthly income of less than 5,000 THB, and 92.0% received the universal elderly allowance. In the pilot subgroup (n = 80), satisfactions were high (smartwatch 93.8%, blood pressure monitors 81.3%), and all TAM constructs exceeded 4.0 (range 4.259-4.373). Primary barriers to digital health technologies among older Thai adults include fear of online fraud (29.9%) and lack of digital equipment (15.8%).

An IoT pilot showed good acceptability among smartphone users but risks increasing inequities without careful design for low-literacy, low-income, and homebound elders. Policies should focus on affordable devices, simple interfaces, and community training to promote inclusive digital aging.