Use of Technology for Health-Related Tasks among Older Adults: Trend Analysis of Pre-&-during COVID

Abstract

The rapid digitization of health care during the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the concern of the ‘digital divide,’ particularly for older adults. This study captures the trend of technology use among older populations before and during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also measures the impact of the pandemic, healthcare technologies, and health status on older adults’ likelihood of communicating with the doctors, making independent treatment decisions, and achieving health-related goals. According to the study, older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic were less likely to communicate with their doctors or achieve their health-related goals by a factor of 1.158 and 1.130, respectively. Older adults who had depression were more likely to make independent treatment-related decisions by a factor of 0.744. We noted an increased usage of mHealth appli- cations and the internet during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, fewer people had access to smartphones and tablet computers. We also reported a significant increase in the proportion of older adults who did not use or understand online medical records over the years. The study emphasizes that as more older adults adopt technology, it is imperative to consider human factors’ methodologies and considerations. Authorities should consider technology affordance and affordability for patients across various socio-economic gradients and with different physical and cognitive capabilities.