Co-developing SingaporeWALK mobile health app: Enhancing physical health and mental well-being among current and future older adults through inclusive technology

Objective: This study employed a participatory design approach to develop a mobile health (mHealth) application tailored for older adults, aiming to promote healthy living and active lifestyles. It addresses key adoption challenges and barriers to sustained engagement in the ageing population.
Methods: Four co-design workshops were conducted in Singapore between February and May 2024 with community and healthcare stakeholders. Participants included 10 middle-aged and older adults (‘current and future older adults’), five healthcare providers, and five community centre staff. These sessions gathered insights and feedback on an initial prototype of the SingaporeWALK (Wearables & Apps in Community Living & Knowledge) app, designed to track physical activity, mental well-being, and dietary habits. Data from usability assessments and stakeholder feedback informed iterative design improvements.
Results: The study identified key user preferences, usability barriers, and engagement strategies essential for designing effective mHealth apps for older adults. Participants emphasised the need for intuitive interfaces, multilingual support, and integrating community-based activities to enhance user experience and engagement. Additionally, participants suggested innovative features such as AI-driven tools to improve accessibility and usability.
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of user-centric design and stakeholder collaboration in developing effective mHealth solutions for older adults. SingaporeWALK demonstrates the potential of participatory design to address the unique needs of ageing populations, fostering sustained engagement and improving quality of life.
© The Author(s) 2025.