Barriers and Facilitators of Self-management Using Digital Technology in Older Adults Living Alone

Abstract

Purpose With the rapid digital transformation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults face many challenges related to digital health literacy (Kaihlanen et al., 2022). Although older adults living alone, in particular, are likely to experience digital health inequity, research on difficulties when they employ digital technology for self-management remains scant. This study aims to explore barriers and facilitators of self-management using digital technology in older adults living alone during the pandemic digital era. Method We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using the focus group interview. Twenty-four older adults aged 65 and over who live alone participated in this study between September 2021 and October 2021. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Emergent themes were categorized into individual, technological, relational, and organizational factors based on the previous study (Wilson et al., 2021).  Results and Discussion We found nine barriers and six facilitators related to self-management using digital technology for older adults living alone. Barriers included age-related health problems, lack of knowledge, and lack of perceived usefulness(individual factor), user-unfriendly interface for devices, device error, and cost of equipment and internet service (technological factor), lack of human contact, lack of people to help troubleshooting problems (relational factor), and lack of data credibility (organizational factor). In addition, facilitators included repeated practice, self-efficacy, and perceived convenience (individual factor), personal reminders (technological factor), and peer support, shared goal setting (relational factor). The findings of this research provide insights into the needs of older people who live alone that health care providers should consider when developing digital self-management programs.