Stakeholder views on designing a digital self-help intervention for healthy aging in urban India
In a qualitative study in India, older adults, caregivers and experts named sleep routines, a balanced diet, physical activity, stress management and meditation as helpful for healthy aging and mental well-being, and expected digital self-help content on these topics. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The qualitative study collected views from community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older, their caregivers and experts at two sites in India from January to September 2024. [1]
Regular sleep routines, a balanced diet, and physical activity and exercise were considered beneficial for healthy aging. [1]
Participants expected digital interventions to include health management tips, exercise tutorials, dietary guidelines, mental healthcare advice and sleep hygiene tips. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Qualitative study (abstract)
- Population / context
- Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and older in India, their caregivers, and experts from medical and allied health disciplines.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 18, 2026
Views of older adults, caregivers and experts in India
The study gathered perspectives to develop content for a self-help digital intervention for people aged 60 and older in India, focused on healthy aging and preventing common mental health problems. Participants were community-dwelling older adults, their caregivers and experts from various medical and allied health fields. Data came from group discussions, individual interviews, key-informant interviews and free-listing at two sites in India between January and September 2024.
Supporting source [1]
Named habits and expected digital content
Regular sleep routines, a balanced diet, and physical activity and exercise were considered beneficial for healthy aging. Stress management, steering clear of negative thoughts and practicing meditation were cited as essential for optimum mental health. Participants expected digital interventions to offer health management tips, exercise tutorials, dietary guidelines, mental healthcare advice and sleep hygiene tips.
Supporting source [1]
Proposed modules and open questions
The authors suggest that digital interventions tailored to the sociocultural needs of older adults may help promote healthy aging and support mental well-being in India. Stakeholder-informed modules on physical health, sleep, emotional well-being, social connectedness and self-care practices may improve engagement, accessibility and preventive mental healthcare. These are proposals, not tested effects: the authors state that future research should evaluate effectiveness, acceptability and long-term sustainability in larger and more diverse populations.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This qualitative study reports stakeholder views and expectations, not measured effects of any digital intervention. Participants came from two sites in India, and the authors call for evaluation in larger, more diverse populations.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Saha I, Das D, Dutta S, Hoda S, Khasnobis M, Sharma S, J J, Sajan TL, Das S, Dahiya N, Saha A, Sethuraman L, Kandasamy A, Agahi N, Jayaram-Lindström N, Kraepelien M, Sundström C, Chakrabarti A. · europepmc.org · August 18, 2026