Evaluating the feasibility and perceptions of a senior-friendly tablet among older adults in Singapore

Year Submitted: 2025
Published Date: 06 November 2025

Tags: Technology, Digitalisation, Digital Health, Mobile Health, Digital Apps, Automation, Customer Intelligence

About this Content

Aims

Evaluating the feasibility and perceptions of a senior-friendly tablet among older adults in Singapore

Methods

A single-group, mixed-methods, prepost-study design was employed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and perceptions towards SilverPad from target older adult users
in Singapore. Fourteen healthy older adults, above 60 years of age, completed the study.

Results

Following a 2-week exposure to SilverPad, there was a significant improvement in participants comfort level with tablet use and mental well-being. Their interest level increased slightly but was marginally significant. However, there was no significant difference in participants sense of efficacy. Participants qualitative feedback provided further insights notably on the themes of perceived ease of use, satisfaction, perceived benefits, positive impacts experienced, and motivation to use the tablet, with some individual differences recognized.

Lessons Learnt

Many older adults tend to lag behind in the use of digital technologies but are eager to learn. Providing the opportunity for older adults to try and
be exposed to digital technologies could help them overcome their antipathy or apprehension towards the use of technology designed to suit
their interests, abilities, and needs.The current study has shown that most participants found the experience of using SilverPad tablet to be satisfying and positive with demonstrable effects on their level of comfort and wellbeing. The study has also uncovered further insights on the usability and acceptability of using SilverPad that supports its feasibility to benefit older adults. While there is no perfect technology, SilverPad can serve as a useful case study for other gerontechnologists to consider its design factors in terms of user interface, contents, and content management system as discussed.

Additional Information

We would like to thank Lions Befrienders, Singapore for support in participant recruitment, and all research participants who made this study possible.

Keywords

digital technologies, senior-friendly tablet, SilverPad, mental well-being, older adults

Innovators' Details

Connect with this contributor!

Devin Chew Sim Chee - chee_chew_sim@tp.edu.sg

Project Attachment

172_TP_TPCABS_Evaluating_the_feasibility_and_perceptions_of_a_senior-friendly_tablet.pdf