Digital health needs for long-term continuity care in older adult patients: a cross-sectional study under the “internet +” model

Objective The “Internet+” initiative offers new possibilities for addressing the complex health needs of aging populations. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the demands for long-term continuous care among older adult patients with neurological disorders and to identify the key factors influencing these needs within the context of a digital health framework. Methods In August 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among hospitalized neurology patients from several Grade III-A hospitals in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. Using a convenience sampling method, data were collected through standardized questionnaires administered via the NetSun electronic platform. The survey captured patient demographics, disease characteristics, and their specific needs for out-of-hospital long-term care services. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were employed to identify factors associated with the demand for continuous care. Results A total of 309 patients were surveyed, including 146 requiring long-term care outside hospitals and 163 not needing it. Among the required nursing services, medication management and lifestyle guidance ranked highest at 77.67% and 66.99%, respectively, while rehabilitation training accounted for 62.14%. Psychological intervention showed the lowest demand at 38.83%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that history of hospitalization (comparing patients with no history of hospitalization to those with a history, OR = 0.364, 95% CI: 0.142–0.937, P = 0.037) and degree of daily life impairment (with the odds ratio indicating a decreasing likelihood of needing care as impairment severity decreases, OR = 0.348, 95% CI: 0.249–0.487, p 0.001) were significant predictors of the demand for continuous care, while smart device usage was not significant (OR = 1.231, 95% CI: 0.669–2.265, P = 0.500). The findings indicate that within the “Internet+” ecosystem, older adults demonstrate substantial needs for sustained long-term care models, particularly those with prior hospitalizations and greater functional impairment. Conclusion Older adult patients with neurological disorders exhibit significant demand for post-discharge continuous care, particularly for medication management and lifestyle guidance. The need for care is strongly associated with clinical factors such as hospitalization history and functional impairment, rather than digital access alone. These findings underscore the importance of developing targeted, need-based digital health interventions to support this vulnerable population.