Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project

Abstract BackgroundOlder adults’ utilization of digital health care remains low despite a high demand for regular health services. Easily accessible eHealth interventions designed for older adults are needed. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the feasibility and...

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Main Authors: Aaron Wan Jia He, Runqi Yuan, Tzu Tsun Luk, Kelvin Man Ping Wang, Sophia Siu Chee Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-05-01
Series:JMIR Formative Research
Online Access:https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69611
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author Aaron Wan Jia He
Runqi Yuan
Tzu Tsun Luk
Kelvin Man Ping Wang
Sophia Siu Chee Chan
author_facet Aaron Wan Jia He
Runqi Yuan
Tzu Tsun Luk
Kelvin Man Ping Wang
Sophia Siu Chee Chan
author_sort Aaron Wan Jia He
collection DOAJ
description Abstract BackgroundOlder adults’ utilization of digital health care remains low despite a high demand for regular health services. Easily accessible eHealth interventions designed for older adults are needed. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of an intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package on older adults in Hong Kong. MethodsIn this study, 101 older adults (n=64, 63.4% female) with a median age of 80 (IQR 77-85) years received an intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package, delivered by trained university student interventionists. The intervention (median 60, IQR 40.8-70 minutes) included personalized guidance on using mobile health apps, QR code scanners and instant messaging, and access to online health information, along with recommendations for physical and mental well-being. Following the intervention, a daily health-coaching message was sent to older adults via WhatsApp for 14 days. eHealth literacy, health, and lifestyle were assessed at baseline and at a 2-week follow-up using paired t ResultsRetention rate for the 2-week follow-up was 70.3% (71/101). Compared to baseline, eHealth literacy scores increased by 2.39 points (PdPd ConclusionsThe intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package was feasible and acceptable, showing promise for increasing older adults’ engagement with digital health care resources and promoting healthy behaviors. Future studies should explore longer-term effects and ways to further improve the intervention.
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spelling doaj-art-cdc4d9e0ea6f4742b940788a2c8ee4912025-08-20T01:51:41ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-05-019e69611e6961110.2196/69611Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect ProjectAaron Wan Jia Hehttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6187-1748Runqi Yuanhttp://orcid.org/0009-0006-7998-957XTzu Tsun Lukhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-7056-1976Kelvin Man Ping Wanghttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-2388Sophia Siu Chee Chanhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-6349-3717 Abstract BackgroundOlder adults’ utilization of digital health care remains low despite a high demand for regular health services. Easily accessible eHealth interventions designed for older adults are needed. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of an intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package on older adults in Hong Kong. MethodsIn this study, 101 older adults (n=64, 63.4% female) with a median age of 80 (IQR 77-85) years received an intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package, delivered by trained university student interventionists. The intervention (median 60, IQR 40.8-70 minutes) included personalized guidance on using mobile health apps, QR code scanners and instant messaging, and access to online health information, along with recommendations for physical and mental well-being. Following the intervention, a daily health-coaching message was sent to older adults via WhatsApp for 14 days. eHealth literacy, health, and lifestyle were assessed at baseline and at a 2-week follow-up using paired t ResultsRetention rate for the 2-week follow-up was 70.3% (71/101). Compared to baseline, eHealth literacy scores increased by 2.39 points (PdPd ConclusionsThe intergenerational, home-based eHealth literacy intervention package was feasible and acceptable, showing promise for increasing older adults’ engagement with digital health care resources and promoting healthy behaviors. Future studies should explore longer-term effects and ways to further improve the intervention.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69611
spellingShingle Aaron Wan Jia He
Runqi Yuan
Tzu Tsun Luk
Kelvin Man Ping Wang
Sophia Siu Chee Chan
Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
JMIR Formative Research
title Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
title_full Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
title_fullStr Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
title_full_unstemmed Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
title_short Boosting Digital Health Engagement Among Older Adults in Hong Kong: Pilot Pre-Post Study of the Generations Connect Project
title_sort boosting digital health engagement among older adults in hong kong pilot pre post study of the generations connect project
url https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69611
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