JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Purpose To explore in depth the care experiences and support challenges faced by elderly caregivers when using smart health technologies from the perspective of the digital divide, providing a basis for developing elderly-friendly health service models. Methods Starting in 6/1/2026 and ending in 25/3/2026. A descriptive qualitative research design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 16 elderly caregivers of hospitalized elderly patients in the tertiary hospital in Guangzhou were recruited from January to March 2026 for semi-structured interviews. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The experiences and dilemmas of older caregivers in using digital health technologies were summarized into 3 core themes and 6 sub-themes: (1) Barriers at the acquisition and access level (imbalance between physical/mental decline and technology design, lack of intergenerational family support); (2) Dilemmas at the operational and usage level (cognitive overload caused by a lack of knowledge, doubts and concerns about the effectiveness and safety of technology); (3) The divide at the cognitive and trust level (persistence and reliance on traditional caregiving methods, insufficiency of professional support systems and help-seeking channels). Conclusions This study reveals that the digital divide faced by elderly caregivers is not merely a barrier to access, but fundamentally a digital disability among the elderly, which significantly undermines the quality of care. Bridging this gap requires a three-dimensional strategy: enhancing individual digital literacy, implementing inclusive age-friendly designs, and building multi-sectoral support networks. Addressing these challenges is essential to strengthening caregiver resilience and ensuring the systemic sustainability and equity of digital health integration.

Objective:

Purpose To explore in depth the care experiences and support challenges faced by elderly caregivers when using smart health technologies from the perspective of the digital divide, providing a basis for developing elderly-friendly health service models.

Methods:

Methods Starting in 6/1/2026 and ending in 25/3/2026. A descriptive qualitative research design was employed. Using purposive sampling, 16 elderly caregivers of hospitalized elderly patients in the tertiary hospital in Guangzhou were recruited from January to March 2026 for semi-structured interviews. Directed content analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results:

Results The experiences and dilemmas of older caregivers in using digital health technologies were summarized into 3 core themes and 6 sub-themes: (1) Barriers at the acquisition and access level (imbalance between physical/mental decline and technology design, lack of intergenerational family support); (2) Dilemmas at the operational and usage level (cognitive overload caused by a lack of knowledge, doubts and concerns about the effectiveness and safety of technology); (3) The divide at the cognitive and trust level (persistence and reliance on traditional caregiving methods, insufficiency of professional support systems and help-seeking channels).

Conclusions:

Conclusions This study reveals that the digital divide faced by elderly caregivers is not merely a barrier to access, but fundamentally a digital disability among the elderly, which significantly undermines the quality of care. Bridging this gap requires a three-dimensional strategy: enhancing individual digital literacy, implementing inclusive age-friendly designs, and building multi-sectoral support networks. Addressing these challenges is essential to strengthening caregiver resilience and ensuring the systemic sustainability and equity of digital health integration. Clinical Trial: This study has undergone ethical approval: Scientific Research Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of the Southern Theater Command,17 July 2025,NZLLKZ2025064