Exploring limitations of user interface design to understanding the gap between technology and seniors

Abstract

Participating in social activities promotes healthy ageing, whereas loneliness and isolation are known to cause adverse effects on both physical and mental wellbeing. Technology that exists in society today can facilitate healthy ageing. However, a gap can be seen between seniors and technology in today's internet and communication technological device's user interfaces. Due to limited prior knowledge of interacting with touch screen devices, seniors sometimes have difficulties using them. This research aims to explore the user interfaces and their elements designed using a human-centered design methodology by involving seniors as activate participants in the design process. This work's outcome can improve current user interface design practices in touch screen devices, which might be seen as contributing step to understand the gap between seniors and technology. © 2021 European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI) and IOS Press.