Exploring Elderly Patients’ Experiences with Digital Health Apps in Chronic Disease Care
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Abstract
The increasing adoption of digital health technologies has reshaped chronic disease management, particularly among elderly populations. While digital tools aim to enhance autonomy and healthcare engagement, little is known about how older adults subjectively experience and interpret these technologies in their daily lives. This study addresses the lack of in-depth understanding by exploring the lived experiences of elderly individuals using digital health applications for chronic disease self-management. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, this research reveals how elderly users emotionally and cognitively navigate digital platforms, offering insight into their evolving perceptions of autonomy, frustration, and empowerment. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with eight participants aged 61 to 78 years and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. The findings revealed five key themes, including initial confusion, the role of family support, emotional adaptation, perceived empowerment, and the symbolic role of technology in daily care routines. These themes illuminate a dynamic process of engagement in which digital tools become more than functional aids they emerge as personal companions in health self-management. The study contributes to digital health research by emphasizing the emotional and relational dimensions of elderly digital engagement, offering a richer understanding than prior usability-focused studies. These insights can inform more empathetic and inclusive design strategies for aging populations and highlight the importance of considering subjective experience in digital health development. However, this study is limited by its small sample size and focus on a single age group within a specific cultural context. Future research could expand to more diverse populations and examine how different digital literacy levels influence elderly engagement with health technologies.
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