Enhancing care through technology: Adoption of digital health solutions in supported living services.

Abstract

The implementation of digital health technologies within supported living services presents considerable potential to enhance the quality of care provided to adults, particularly those with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. Despite the recognized benefits, the adoption of these technologies remains limited in practice across such services. Therefore, this study aimed to address this gap by investigating the factors influencing the adoption of digital health technologies in supported living services. A mixed-methods research design was employed, incorporating a case study in two local supported living services with a sample size of six participants, three from each service. The data were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, revealing that 83.3% of participants perceived a widespread acceptance of digital health technologies in their services. Furthermore, 66.7% of participants identified the frequent use of health monitoring and assistive devices, such as blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, mobility aids, and virtual assistants. These technologies were perceived to be positively received due to a range of facilitating factors, including increased funding, comprehensive staff training, and strong organizational support. Additionally, most participants emphasized the critical need for a medication reminder application, expressing a preference for a design that is both easy-to-use and user-friendly. The findings of this study reveal that the use of digital health solutions varies based on the service and the service users living in the care homes. This study highlights the numerous benefits of adopting digital health technologies as well as potential challenges.