DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BEHAVIORS FOR SELF-HEALTH MANAGEMENT AMONG THE ELDERLY

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation of global healthcare infrastructures has opened new pathways for active aging, transitioning care paradigms from reactive clinical interventions to proactive, patient-centered self-health management. However, the efficacy of this shift remains heavily reliant on understanding the unique digital technology adoption behaviors of the elderly. This article synthesizes contemporary literature and socio-technical acceptance models, such as the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), to analyze the determinants of technology adoption among older adults. The review indicates that while digital tools- including mobile health (mHealth) applications, remote monitoring systems, and wearable sensors- significantly enhance seniors’ functional independence and internal locus of control, their implementation is heavily obstructed by distinct socio-cognitive and physical barriers. Factors such as high technology anxiety, low digital self-efficacy, aged related visual and cognitive declines, and data privacy concerns frequently culminate in technology friction and abandonment. The findings underscore that digital health integration for seniors is not merely an infrastructure challenge, but a nuanced behavioral process. Ultimately, to bridge the digital divide, stakeholders must move beyond generic designs toward universal, user-centric interfaces paired with structured technical education and robust social support networks, ensuring a dignified and autonomous digital health ecosystem for the aging population.

Keywords: Digital Transformation, Technology Adoption Behavior, Self-Health Management, Elderly