Co-Actors and Inequities in Digital Health from a Nursing Home Perspective

Abstract

How are digital media used among older people at nursing homes? This qualitative study investigates the use of digital media in healthcare among individuals aged 75 and over who reside in nursing homes in Denmark. Focusing on the essential role of relatives and care takers, the research analyses the challenges faced by older individuals, particularly those without immediate relatives, in accessing and utilising digital health solutions and health communication. Through in-depth interviews and observations, we explore how digital health technologies often fall short of meeting the need for joint use among the older individual, relatives and nursing home staff, which leads to a digital divide that intensifies existing inequities in healthcare access. Our findings underscore the critical need for personalised assistance and support mechanisms to bridge the gap between older individuals and digital health technologies. By highlighting the importance of warm experts, co-actors in health and proxy users, this study offers insight into effective strategies for improving the digital health experiences for residents in nursing homes with the ultimate aim of contributing to more inclusive and equitable healthcare solutions.