 Pilot 6 & 13: Co-creation workshops for the identification of older adultsâ needs for frailty management and digital health literacy
COMFORTAGE is helping pave the way for more effective, personalized care and support for the aging population. The Lab of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation (iMedPhys) at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) has advanced personalized treatment plans and preventative strategies for older adults through digital solutions for nearly two decades. Through two pilot studies (Pilots 6 & 13) under the COMFORTAGE project, the lab aims to support frailty management and improve digital and health literacy among older adults, caregivers, and clinicians.
As part of this effort within the COMFORTAge project, co-creation sessions were held to develop personas that address the unique needs of older adults. These sessions enabled the research team to better understand the target audience and, consequently, refine the pilotsâ approach before their implementation.
Early Frailty Detection and Multimodal Interventions
For Pilot 6, the focus is on early frailty detection and assessing the impact of multimodal interventions delivered through digital tools. In Pilot 13, AUTH addresses digital and health literacy, specifically the ability of healthy older adults to engage with mHealth technologies.
Enhancing Digital and Health Literacy
Key Takeaways from Co-Creation Sessions
In the Pilot 6 co-creation sessions, researchers and participants discussed key issues regarding early signs of cognitive decline, frailty, and managing medical conditions in older age. Moreover, they explored technologies such as the FitBit, a wearable health tracker, and BrainHQ, a cognitive training platform. Participants emphasized the importance of realistic diet, exercise, and motivational strategies to support physical and cardiovascular health. Additionally, both healthcare professionals and patients highlighted the need for clear, practical recommendations. Furthermore, technology was seen as crucial for medication adherence and health monitoring. As a result, participants suggested a user-friendly app with features like reminders, health metrics tracking, and cognitive games. Emotional and social support also emerged as vital, with professionals advocating for caregiver involvement, while patients stressed the need for psychological support, clear communication, and regular follow-ups to build trust.
In Pilot 13, participants discussed the challenges and opportunities of adopting healthcare technology for older adults. Specifically, they noted barriers like generational digital literacy gaps, privacy concerns, and physical limitations. During the sessions, demonstrations included digital tools such as the FitBit, BrainHQ, and mHealth-AD, a platform offering educational content and experiential learning. Consequently, healthcare professionals and caregivers stressed the need for accessible, secure, and easy-to-use digital solutions. Moreover, the research team identified continuous, personalized training as key to helping older adults gain confidence in using these tools. However, many older adults rely on non-digital methods because they cite concerns about complexity and security. On the other hand, professionals expressed optimism about digital tools but highlighted challenges such as infrastructure, privacy, and increased workloads as potential obstacles.
Feedback and Future Steps in Pilot Implementation
The COMFORTAGE projectâs co-creation sessions for pilots 6 & 13 concluded that accessible, user-friendly digital health tools are vital for supporting older adults. Privacy, usability, and literacy challenges highlight the need for simplified, secure solutions and ongoing support. Participantsâ feedback and challenges were translated into needs, requirements, and daily living issues. This process led to the creation of two personas, one for each pilot, to guide the next steps of implementation.
**Article written by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). AÂ key partner in the COMFORTage project
