ARTICLE SUMMARY: Accessibility is a hot topic these days, equal access for all, and that should include senior citizens.
Consider this, one person in eight on the planet is over 60, and they are more online than ever before. Think about it, why wouldn’t you try and make it easier for seniors to shop your products or services online, it’s just good business.
Most of these older folks are healthy, active and have discretionary income, and more and more seniors are becoming computer savvy. Let’s face it, at some point in their life they will probably want to walk a park or a golf course rather than a shopping mall or grocery store.
“Designing Age-Inclusive Products: Guidelines And Best Practices” by Dr Michal Halperin Ben Zvi looks at why we should design for the older generation, some of the challenges it presents, and solutions to those challenges, things like
- What Should We Do If We Want To Increase Their Engagement
- What To Know About Navigation & Orientation
- Create An Interface That Is Easy To Operate
Advancing age can also bring with it a decrease in the rate of information processing, whether in understanding, thinking, or remembering. Plus, the ability to ignore distractions, focus on one stimulus, and perform several complex actions simultaneously also decreases.
With more businesses, doctor offices, medical institutions and government services going online to conduct daily operations we need to make it senior friendly.
By following these guidelines and best practices, you can create age-inclusive products that cater to a wide range of users and enhance the seniors overall experience.
A great article for young and old designers alike, let us know what you think in the comments.
