Application and Issues of Smartwatches in Health Monitoring for the Elderly in China

This study investigates the application of smartwatches in health monitoring among 100 elderly users aged 60 and above in Shanghai, China. Through surveys and in-depth interviews, the research systematically analyzes the current use of smartwatches by older adults and identifies the challenges they face. The primary aim of this study is to explore key difficulties encountered by elderly users and provide actionable suggestions for improving smartwatch design and functionality. The findings reveal that elderly users frequently utilize smartwatches to monitor key health indicators such as heart rate and blood pressure, reflecting high expectations for their role as health management tools. However, issues related to data inaccuracy and device instability significantly undermine user trust in the devices. Additionally, the complexity and non-intuitiveness of user interfaces create substantial barriers for elderly users, increasing their learning burden and restricting their use of certain functions. Regarding comfort, many participants reported discomfort during extended use, attributed to poor breathability, heavy weight, and inconvenient band designs. Furthermore, battery life and charging management deficiencies were highlighted as significant obstacles, often resulting in device unavailability when needed. Based on these findings, the study suggests several areas for improvement. These include enhancing sensor accuracy, designing more user-friendly interfaces, offering lightweight and comfortable wearable options, and improving battery life and charging systems. Such advancements can enhance trust in and reliance on smartwatches, positioning them as more effective tools for elderly health management. However, the study has limitations, as it focuses on a sample restricted to Shanghai and relies on self-reported data. Future research should expand the geographic scope and sample size while incorporating long-term usage data to comprehensively evaluate the role of smartwatches in elderly health management.