By Ayo Onikoyi

A Nigerian researcher specialising in ageing and digital health, Christine Ine, has warned that millions of older adults are being unintentionally excluded from the benefits of digital healthcare because many technologies marketed as “user-friendly” are not designed with their needs in mind.

Ine, who is based in the United States, made the observation in a paper presented during a session on inclusive digital health and made available to journalists.

The Boston-based researcher and programme coordinator said that while telemedicine platforms, mobile health applications and other digital healthcare innovations have transformed healthcare delivery globally, many older people continue to struggle with using them because of design choices that fail to account for the realities of ageing.

According to her, the challenge is not merely access to technology but whether older adults can use digital health systems confidently and comfortably.

“Many products are labelled as intuitive or easy to use,” she said. “But what feels simple to a designer or a younger user may feel confusing, overwhelming or even unusable to someone experiencing changes in memory, vision or motor skills.”

She explained that as populations continue to age worldwide, healthcare providers are increasingly relying on digital platforms to help patients monitor chronic illnesses, consult doctors remotely and maintain their independence. However, adoption of these technologies among older adults has remained inconsistent.

Ine argued that the situation highlights a disconnect between what technology developers perceive as simple and what users actually experience.

She noted that many digital health platforms continue to rely on text-heavy interfaces, complex navigation and abstract symbols that require high levels of concentration and memory, making them difficult for many elderly users.

According to her, seemingly minor design choices, such as poor colour contrast, inconsistent page layouts and unclear navigation, can discourage older adults from using healthcare technologies.

“Design decisions that seem minor can have a major impact on whether someone feels confident using a system,” Ine said.

“When users feel uncertain, they disengage. And in healthcare, disengagement has real consequences.”

She stressed that usability should go beyond making products appear visually simple, adding that confidence and trust are equally important if digital health technologies are to improve health outcomes.

The researcher further observed that the challenges become even greater for people living with chronic illnesses or cognitive decline, where consistency, predictability and straightforward navigation are essential for effective healthcare management.

Rather than simply simplifying digital interfaces, Ine advocated a more empathetic design approach that recognises how ageing gradually affects perception, cognition and behaviour over time.

She also called for older adults to be actively involved in developing healthcare technologies through a co-design process.

“When people are part of shaping the tools they use, the outcomes tend to reflect real needs rather than assumptions,” she said.

Drawing from her research, Ine recommended several measures to improve the usability of digital health systems, including clearer visual hierarchies, high-contrast interfaces, icon-supported navigation and features that reduce users’ reliance on memory.

She also emphasised the importance of support systems, including caregivers, onboarding assistance and regular follow-up communication, to help older adults adopt and continue using digital health technologies.

According to Ine, as healthcare becomes increasingly digitised, the success of innovation should be measured not only by technological advancement but also by whether intended users can meaningfully benefit from it.

“A product is not truly successful if the people it is designed for cannot or do not use it,” she said. “Usability is not just a design consideration; it is a measure of whether technology is actually improving lives.”

She said her findings contribute to the growing global conversation on inclusive healthcare innovation, underscoring the need for digital health solutions that are practical, accessible and centred on users’ lived experiences.

Ine added that the future of digital healthcare depends not only on developing smarter technologies but also on ensuring that older adults, who often rely most on healthcare services, are not left behind by innovation.