The adults who stand to benefit most from organised digital health records are often the least likely to be using them. Older adults typically have the most complex health histories — multiple conditions, multiple medications, multiple specialists — and the most to gain from having everything in one accessible place.
Common barriers and how to address them
- Unfamiliarity with apps — set up the account together with a family member; walk through each section once; most people become comfortable quickly
- Difficulty reading small text — increase device text size in accessibility settings; Looms responds to system font preferences
- Concerns about security — explain that health records are already stored electronically in hospitals; a patient-held record gives more control, not less
- Overwhelm from many features — start with one thing: upload a medication list, or log a blood pressure reading. The rest can follow gradually
- Relying on memory for medical history — this is precisely what a digital record solves; even a basic medication list in digital form is transformative in an emergency
How family members and carers can help
Family members are often the de facto health managers for elderly parents — accompanying them to appointments, managing medications, liaising with multiple specialists. Looms Family Hub allows a family member to maintain a health profile on behalf of a dependent relative, with the ability to share records with any connected centre.
Setting up medication reminders for an elderly parent takes five minutes and can significantly reduce missed doses — one of the most common causes of preventable hospital admissions in older adults.