Chinese Immigrant Caregivers: Understanding Their Unmet Needs and the Co-Design of an mHealth App
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Immigrant caregivers support the aging population, yet their own needs are often neglected. Mobile technology-facilitated interventions can promote caregiver health by providing easy access to self-care materials. OBJECTIVE: This study employed a design thinking framework to examine Chinese immigrant caregivers' (CICs) unmet self-care needs and co-design an app for promoting self-care with CICs. METHODS: Nineteen semi-structured interviews were conducted in conceptual design and prototype co-design phases. FINDINGS: Participants reported unmet self-care needs influenced by psychological and social barriers, immigrant status, and caregiving tasks. They expressed the need to learn to keep healthy boundaries with the care recipient and respond to emergencies. Gaining knowledge was the main benefit that drew CICs' interest in using the self-care app. However, potential barriers to use included issues of curriculum design, technology anxiety, limited free time, and caregiving burdens. DISCUSSION: The co-design process appears to be beneficial in having participants voice both barriers and preferences.
Language: English
Subfield: Demography
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,450
Awards: Examining the Longitudinal Influence of the Physical and Social Environments on Social Isolation and Cognitive Health: contextualizing the role of technology, Oregon Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Examining the Longitudinal Influence of the Physical and Social Environments on Social Isolation and Cognitive Health: contextualizing the role of technology.
OpenAlex ID: W4397011777