Welcome to Francis Academic Press

International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology, 2026, 8(2); doi: 10.25236/IJFS.2026.080212.

Identification of triggers and differentiated countermeasures for digital medical disorders in the elderly from the perspective of age stratification

Author(s)

Piao Siqi

Corresponding Author:
Piao Siqi
Affiliation(s)

Trinity International College, 51 Kampong Bugis #01-03 Kallang Riverside, Singapore

Abstract

Against the background of the intertwining of aging and digitalization, the social problems of the "digital divide" encountered by the elderly in hospitals are more prominent. The analysis of this article points out that elderly people of different ages have clear "digital divide" boundaries. The young elderly find it difficult when facing the complex operation process. Due to changes in physical function, the elderly cannot even pass the most basic fingerprint or face recognition, making technology a barrier to their medical treatment. The reason is that there is obvious conflict between the natural decline of physiological function and the rigid logic of technical design. Most current improvement measures remain superficial and fail to fit the physical conditions of the elderly. At the same time, children often choose to act directly on behalf of the elderly in order to save time, resulting in older adults losing opportunities to use and practice digital technology. Coupled with the lack of on-site guidance in hospitals and the psychological burden of elderly people who fear operating slowly or causing trouble, the superposition of these factors makes the elderly more and more isolated in the digital medical system. In response to these problems, it is suggested that the system operation should be more flexible by improving the inclusiveness of the software; guiding family members to change from "working on behalf of the elderly" to "teaching the elderly"; hospitals should set up fixed guidance personnel; and carry out more field exercises in the community. Through multi-party efforts, a warm support network will be established to ensure that the elderly of different ages can receive fair and dignified medical treatment in the digital age.

Keywords

Age Stratification; Digital Divide; Medical Treatment Barriers; Intergenerational Feedback; Precise Governance

Cite This Paper

Piao Siqi. Identification of triggers and differentiated countermeasures for digital medical disorders in the elderly from the perspective of age stratification. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 2: 96-101. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2026.080212.

References

[1] National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2025). Statistical communiqué of the People's Republic of China on the 2024 national economic and social development. China Statistics, (3), 4-21.

[2] General Office of the State Council. (2020). Circular of the General Office of the State Council on issuing the implementation plan to effectively solve the difficulties encountered by the elderly in using intelligent technology. Gazette of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, (34), 20-25.

[3] Bu, X. (2020, December 29). Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the "Special action plan for age-friendly and accessibility renovation of internet applications." People's Post and Telecommunications, p.1.

[4] Jin, Y., & Zhao, M. (2019). Internet use and active aging of the elderly in China: An analysis based on the 2016 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Population Journal, 41(6), 44-55. 

[5] Wang, L. (2018). Research on the influence mechanism of internet use on the physical and mental health of the elderly: Empirical analysis based on CGSS (2013) data. Modern Economic Research, (4), 101-108. 

[6] Zhou, Y. (2014). Digital divide and cultural feedback: A quantitative investigation of the "quiet revolution" within families. Modern Communication (Journal of Communication University of China), 36(2), 117-123.

[7] Lu, J., & Wei, X. (2021). Analytical framework, concepts and path choices for governing the digital divide of the elderly: Based on the perspectives of digital divide and knowledge gap theory. Population Research, 45(3), 17-30.

[8] Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party. (2024). Proposal on accelerating age-friendly renovation of internet medical services to further enhance medical convenience for elderly patients. In The Second Session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Beijing.

[9] China National Radio. (2020, November 23). 94-year-old man held up for facial recognition to activate social security card; involved bank apologizes [Online news article]. 

[10] China Comment. (2023). "Digital medical services" should not force the elderly to "conceal illnesses and give up treatment." China Comment.