Perception of NUEVA (Nutrition for Underserved Elders via Application) Usability During Alpha-Testing

Older adults (60 years+) have unique nutrition needs and circumstances. To address their individual requirements, many technological innovations are emerging to provide the necessary resources for this largely underserved population. To enhance participation in the senior nutrition programs, a multifunctional app, NUEVA, was created to optimize recruitment, assessment, nutrition intervention, and the participant experience. The development was informed with a user-centered design (UCD) framework including collaboration with community partners associated with senior nutrition programs. To complete initial or “alpha” testing of the NUEVA app with community partners. A qualitative study with focus groups was conducted in Central Texas. Focus group participants included leaders of senior nutrition programs, food banks, and food delivery volunteers serving older adults in the Central Texas area. Focus groups were conducted over Zoom and followed a semi-structured guide that covered technology usage. Additionally, a Think Aloud methodology was used to assess participants real-time feedback while navigating NUEVA. Recordings were transcribed and checked for accuracy. Analysis: Qualitative analysis included the review of summary sheets, peer debriefing, and coding to identify desired key features of NUEVA and barriers or facilitators related to usability of the app. Community partners engaged in focus groups (n=4 groups). Participants provided insights about successful technology adoption and barriers to technology usage in senior nutrition program operations. Facilitators of programmatic operations included opportunities for NUEVA to improve, such as recruitment, screening, assessment, meal selection, greater informed client outreach and increased ways to address nutrition security. Group discussions identified possibilities to enhance NUEVA for the older adults and operation use, such as technological concerns of the older adult user and staff, including data security. Findings inform the development of NUEVA, including the nutrition education and additional desired modules, before beta testing with user groups. Furthermore, this community-based approach utilizing UCD may be a valuable model for leveraging technology to develop impactful solutions for older adults. USHHS, ACL