Perceived benefits of digital health and social services among older adults: A population-based cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the benefits of digital health and social services perceived by older adults and to examine factors associated with perceiving these benefits. Several factors related to (a) sociodemographic characteristics, (b) area of residence, (c) physical, cognitive, psychological, and social functioning, and (d) Internet use, were examined. METHODS: The present sample included 8019 respondents aged between 75 and 99 years. The inverse probability weighting method was used to correct for bias. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the associations. RESULTS: The ease of use of the services regardless of the time and location was perceived as the most beneficial. Convenient distance to local health or social services (parameter estimate = 0.15 [0.08–0.23]), good functional ability (PE = 0.08 [0.01–0.14]), good vision (PE = 0.15 [0.04–0.25]), ability to learn (PE = 0.05 [0.01–0.10]) and living with someone (PE = 0.08 [95% CI 0.04–0.13]) were associated with perceiving more benefits. In addition, access to the Internet (PE = 0.12 [0.06–0.19]) and independent use of the Internet (PE = 0.23 [0.17–0.29]) were associated with perceiving more benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who are healthier, have a social relationship in their everyday life or have easier access to traditional services seem to perceive more benefits from digital health and social services. Digital services should be developed to correspond with special needs caused by disadvantages in health and the social environment. To facilitate the use of digital health and social services, more efforts should be made to enhance older adults’ perceptions of their benefits.