Awareness, adoption, and confidence in mobile app use for instrumental activities of daily living among older adults

The global older adult population is increasing rapidly, underscoring the need to support their independence through instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs). While mobile apps offer cost-effective and accessible support for iADLs, their adoption among older adults remains unclear. This study examined the levels of awareness, adoption, and confidence in using mobile applications designed to support iADLs among 616 smartphone users aged 60–75 years. All participants were affiliated with the Department for the Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, Karnataka, India. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was employed to conduct the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Findings revealed limited awareness of mobile apps beyond communication tools, with that category emerging as the most widely used (58.93%). Apps for medication management, housekeeping, and laundry were notably low, indicating underutilization of technologies that could directly support independent living. These findings underscore the need for structured digital literacy and mobile app training programs delivered through senior welfare organizations, as well as policy‑level initiatives to integrate digital tools into community‑based elder care services, thereby supporting functional independence and aging in place.