Digital Health for Aging in Place: A Co-Design Study

Abstract

The increasing aging population is driving the development of digital solutions to promote active and healthy aging. However, the adoption of these technologies depends on their alignment with users’ needs and expectations. One way to enhance the adoption of these solutions—including those incorporating interactive elements such as games—is to foster the active participation of older adults and other stakeholders in their development. Thus, the objective of this study was to adapt, through a stakeholder-driven co-design process, an institutional digital health platform to community-based use by independently living older adults, with a focus on promoting active and healthy aging. A qualitative study was conducted based on three co-design moments involving individuals aged 55 and older, nurses, and policymakers. During the co-design moments, participants explored the digital resource and proposed improvements. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. The co-design process explicitly addressed concepts of reuse and sustainability, focusing on how existing institutional digital resources could be adapted to meet the needs of older adults living independently. Participants emphasized accessibility, social interaction, and content individualization as key factors. The most frequently mentioned improvement suggestions included integrating physical activity features, individualized reminders, and a communication network. The adaptation of digital resources based on stakeholder suggestions reinforces the importance of active user involvement in developing solutions for health promotion and active aging. The study’s main contribution lies in demonstrating how institutional resources can be transformed into community-based digital health tools addressing the gap between institutional digital health innovation and real-world community implementation.