Work

Digital technologies in care for older adults living alone: a scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background and Objectives: The number of older adults living alone is increasing globally, often with varied risks and resilience capacities. Digital technologies may help mitigate these risks, but their potential remains poorly understood. This review maps evidence on digital technologies in social and health care interventions for older adults living alone, focusing on technology types, functions, intervention outcomes, integration into care, and associated benefits and challenges. Research Design and Methods: Studies from 2000 to 2025 were identified through systematic searches across 8 databases and gray literature, yielding 37 sources. A qualitative content analysis synthesized study characteristics and findings. Results: Five categories of digital technologies were identified, from communication tools to AI-powered devices. Most interventions were delivered through scheduled sessions led by care providers. Most reported positive health outcomes (e.g., improved physical function, psychological well-being, reduced loneliness, healthier behaviors, and better self-care), while evidence on service delivery effects remains limited. While technologies improved care accessibility and coordination, challenges included limited digital literacy, exclusion, and design flaws. Discussion and Implications: Knowledge gaps include limited geographical diversity, insufficient research on underrepresented groups (e.g., ethnic minorities and those with low socioeconomic status), a lack of intersectional analyses, limited evidence on cost-effectiveness, long-term outcomes, and effective intervention components. Future interventions should adopt participatory, person-centered approaches to strengthen equity and agency, alongside policy efforts to address structural barriers such as unequal access to digital care technologies.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igag048

Authors: Wenqian Xu, Biying Yang, Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan

Institutions: Lund University, National University of Singapore

Language: English

Topic: Technology Use by Older Adults

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977