Effects of digital health services for older adults in the community

Objectives: With a rapid aging population and the expansion of digital health strategies after the COVID-19 pandemic, AI․IoT-based health services for older adults in the community were introduced. This study aimed to analyze the impact of digital health strategies on the health of older adults. Methods: The study was conducted with 9,566 older adult participants who enrolled in a health management program at 24 public health centers from November 10, 2020, to December 10, 2021, and completed the post-evaluation after using the services for over six months. Paired t-tests were performed to compare changes in frailty levels and health practices before and after the program. Results: Participants improved frailty levels, walking practices, and healthy eating practices. Positive changes were observed in all aspects of frailty, including overall, social, and cognitive frailty, as well as in the detailed evaluation items. Conclusion: The digital health strategies improved accessibility to healthcare services for older adults, allowing participation without time and space limitations. This contributed to an increase in the scale and sustainability of the program.