Background and Objectives: Given the growing elderly population and the expansion of digital technologies, the use of cognitive health support technologies can provide opportunities to maintain and enhance the cognitive function of older adults. However, access to technology does not necessarily lead to its actual use. The present study aimed to evaluate the status of access, use, and willingness to use digital technologies supporting cognitive health, and to examine some factors related to these, among older adults living in the cities of Rasht, Babol, and Mashhad.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the autumn of 1404 (2025) on 150 older adults aged 60 years and above living in the cities of Rasht, Babol, and Mashhad. Sampling was performed using the convenience method, with 50 individuals assigned to each city. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire through face-to-face interviews and analyzed with SPSS software version 23. The chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between qualitative variables, and appropriate non-parametric tests were used to compare quantitative variables between groups. A significance level of less than 0.05 was considered.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 68.83 ± 5.84 years. The rates of using memory-training applications were 62.2% in Babol, 48.7% in Rasht, and 39.3% in Mashhad. Willingness to use these applications was reported by 66% of participants in Babol, 58% in Rasht, and 36% in Mashhad. A statistically significant association was found between the city of residence and willingness to use memory-training applications (p = 0.008). Access to messaging applications was significantly associated with the use of memory-training applications, with usage rates of 59.1% among participants with access to messaging applications and 6.3% among those without such access. Furthermore, a statistically significant association was observed between previous use of these applications and willingness to use them (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that despite the relatively favorable access of older adults to smartphones, the use of memory enhancement software was more limited among them. The rate of use of these software applications differed across the three cities, and a significant relationship was observed between the city of residence and willingness to use memory enhancement software. Also, access to messaging apps had a significant relationship with the use of memory enhancement software, and previous use of these software applications had a significant relationship with willingness to use them. In contrast, no significant relationship was observed between the age of older adults and willingness to use memory enhancement software. Overall, the results indicate that in the studied population, access to technology alone does not lead to the use of cognitive health support technologies, and previous experience and the level of interaction with digital technologies are related to the use of and willingness to use these tools.