A Digital Coach Promoting Healthy Aging among Older Adults in Transition to Retirement: Results from a Qualitative Study in Italy

Sara Santini, Flavia Galassi, Johannes Kropf and Vera Stara
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Sara Santini: IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, Via S. Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Flavia Galassi: IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, Via S. Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy
Johannes Kropf: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Center for Health & Bioresources, 2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria
Vera Stara: IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing, Scientific Direction, Innovative Models for Ageing Care and Technology, Via S. Margherita 5, 60124 Ancona, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-16

Abstract: Global aging and increasing multimorbidity are questioning the sustainability of healthcare systems. Healthy aging is at the top of the world political agenda, as a possible means for hindering the collapse of care systems. In the aging process, the transition to retirement can lead to an improvement or a deterioration of physical and psychological health. Digital health coaching technology can support older adults at this stage, but what must be the role of such a solution in promoting healthy aging and shaping sustainable care? This qualitative study, carried out in Italy in 2019, involved 15 older workers, retirees, and colleagues. Based on a user-centered design approach, this study aims at gathering older adults’ feelings on a digital health coaching technology for exploring this solution’s potential in promoting healthy aging. Findings highlighted that the digital health coach may help older adults improve several health determinants, e.g., physical activity, cognitive capabilities, and social life, but it can also entail the risk of stigma and break people’s privacy. The latter can be guaranteed by technology customization and codesign. Further research on the digital health coach benefits to boost healthy aging is needed to understand its potential for shaping future sustainable healthcare.

Keywords: aging population; assistive technology; digital health coach; healthy aging; long-term care; user-centered design; virtual coach (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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