Development and Evaluation of WELSH: An Institution-Linked Mobile Application for Older Adults in Senior Welfare Centers During COVID-19

BackgroundCOVID-19 closures of South Korean senior welfare centers isolated older adults. We developed and evaluated "WELSH," an age-friendly, institution-linked mobile app, using the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) framework.MethodsFollowing needs assessments, WELSH was implemented across five Seoul centers. During a 2-week pilot, 376 older adults completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires evaluating usability, digital literacy, and psychosocial indicators (social support, loneliness, depression).ResultsParticipants positively rated WELSH's usability (M = 2.95/4), particularly for accessing center-linked information. Digital literacy scores significantly increased (p < .001). Psychosocial indicators showed no statistically significant changes during this brief timeframe.ConclusionsWELSH successfully maintained institutional connectivity and enhanced short-term digital competence. Practical Implications: This ADDIE-guided process provides a replicable framework for community centers to design age-friendly digital services, ensuring care continuity during crises.