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Journals / Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 26 Sayı: 1

Facilitating and Restraining Factors in the Use of Digital Health Technologies by Older Adults, and Improvement Recommendations: A Scope Review

Yaşlı Yetişkinlerde Dijital Sağlık Teknolojilerinin Kullanımına İlişkin Kolaylaştırıcı ve Zorlaştırıcı Faktörler ile İyileştirme Önerileri: Bir Kapsam İncelemesi

Kader Gerçeker, Ramazan Erdem

Pages
194–210
Publication Date
2026-03-28
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Abstract

This scoping review aims to comprehensively examine older adults’ use of digital health Technologies including mobile health applications, wearable devices, and virtual care solutions focus- ing on their effectiveness, user experience, and factors influencing adoption. Guided by the Arksey and O’Malley framework, a systematic search of Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed data-bases was conducted for peer-reviewed English-language studies published between 2010 and 2025 involving adults aged 55 years and older. Eligible studies were synthesized using thematic analysis. The included studies indicate that digital health technologies can support chronic disease management, enhance physical activity, facilitate cognitive monitoring, and improve access to healthcare among older adults. However, age-related cognitive, physical, and sensory limitations, low digital literacy, the digital divide, and privacy concerns remain significant barriers to sustained use and adoption. Evidence suggests that user-centered, personalized, and supportive interventions improve acceptability and engagement with digital health solutions. Digital health technologies hold substantial promise for promoting independent living and improving health outcomes in older adults. To fully realize this potential, integrated approaches addressing accessibility, equity, usability, and ethical considerations are essential.

Özet

Yaşlı yetişkinlerin mobil sağlık (mHealth), giyilebilir cihazlar, sanal bakım ve diğer dijital sağlık müdahalelerini kullanımı, bu teknolojilerin etkinliği, kullanıcı deneyimi ve benimsenme modelleri üzerine mevcut literatürü sentezlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Web of Science veri tabanında “dijital sağlık”, “yaşlanma” ve “yaşlılık” anahtar kelimeleri ile 2010-2025 yılları arasında İngilizce dilinde yayınlanmış araştırmalar taranmıştır. Araştırma yaşlı yetişkinlerde dijital sağlık teknolojilerinin kullanımını ele alan hakemli makalelerden oluşan bir kapsam incelemesidir. Dijital sağlık teknolojilerinin yaşlı yetişkinler arasında sağlık sonuçlarını iyileştirme potansiyeline sahip olduğunu, ancak bilişsel, fiziksel, algısal ve motivasyonel engeller, dijital uçurum, gizlilik endişeleri ve teknolojik okuryazarlık eksikliği gibi zorluklarla karşılaşıldığını göstermektedir. Dijital sağlık teknolojileri, yaşlı yetişkinlerin sağlık yönetimi, bağımsız yaşam ve yaşam kalitesini desteklemede giderek daha önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu makale, yaşlı yetişkinlerin ihtiyaçlarına uygun, kullanıcı merkezli ve eşitlik odaklı dijital sağlık çözümlerinin geliştirilmesi için öneriler sunmaktadır.

Keywords
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Cite This Article

Gerçeker, K., Erdem, R. (2026). Facilitating and Restraining Factors in the Use of Digital Health Technologies by Older Adults, and Improvement Recommendations: A Scope Review. Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 26 Sayı: 1, 194–210. https://doi.org/10.18037/ausbd.1748332

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