JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Involving older adults in co-design studies is essential for the development of digital technologies and healthcare solutions to enhance self-care management at home. The use of remote co-design approaches, particularly with a focus on video feedback tools for self-care management, could provide technologically sustainable solutions that address the personal needs of older adults with chronic illness and their companions.

Objective:

The aim of this study was three-fold: (1) to identify the factors influencing self-care management among end users, (2) to co-create and refine the design and contents of a video feedback tool, and (3) to test usability together with pairs of older adults at home.

Methods:

This study was conducted using an experience-based co-design involving collaboration with older adults, researchers, and service designers. Six workshops, of which five were held remotely and one in-person, were conducted to co-create contents for a video feedback tool with four pairs of older adults. Thereafter, the newly developed self-care exercises underwent usability testing with the pairs of older adults in their homes. Collected data were analyzed inductively through thematic analysis and deductively using the U.S.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y. framework.

Results:

The workshop sessions revealed that support and learning within a promoting self-care environment had a positive influence on self-care management for the pairs. The influencing factors and needs were used to co-create two self-care exercises within the video feedback tool: “Breathing exercises” and “Picking up from the floor.” The usability test revealed that the pairs found it difficult to analyze their self-care exercises and indicated a need for a support structure around the video feedback tool.

Conclusions:

This study emphasizes that video feedback promotes understanding and facilitates learning by highlighting differences between one's own performance of self-care exercises and that of others. The video feedback tool can be beneficial for pairs of older adults managing self-care at home or as a complement to traditional healthcare services. However, its effectiveness and integration into existing healthcare services need to be assessed through careful design and structured support is still needed.