The Role of Digital Health Technologies in Empowering Older Adults for Self-Management of Chronic Conditions: A Comprehensive Review

Background: The global population is aging rapidly, leading to an increased prevalence of chronic conditions and multimorbidity. Digital health technologies (DHTs) offer a promising avenue to support older adults in managing their health. This review aims to synthesize evidence on the types, effectiveness, and challenges of DHTs for empowering older adults in self-managing chronic diseases. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for articles published between ۲۰۱۸ and ۲۰۲۴. Keywords included "digital health," "mHealth," "telemedicine," "older adults," "self-management," and "chronic disease." Included studies focused on DHT interventions for adults aged ۶۵+ with at least one chronic condition. Results: ۱۵ key studies were synthesized. DHTs were categorized into: ۱) Telehealth and remote monitoring systems, ۲) Mobile health applications (mHealth), and ۳) Wearable devices. Findings indicate that DHTs can significantly improve medication adherence, enhance symptom monitoring, and increase patient engagement. However, challenges such as digital literacy, accessibility, and data privacy concerns were prominent. Conclusion: Digital health technologies hold significant potential for empowering older adults in self-management. Successful implementation requires user-centered design, tailored support for technology adoption, and integration into existing healthcare frameworks. Future research should focus on long-term efficacy and overcoming barriers to access.

کلیدواژه ها:

Digital Health ، Older Adults ، Self-Management ، Chronic Disease ، Telemedicine ، Health