HCI and the older population

Abstract

The number and proportion of older people in developed countries is rapidly increasing and it is imperative to consider how technology design can meet the needs and wants of this important user group. For example, the proportion of those in the UK who are over 60 is expected to increase from 20% in the year 2000 to 27% by 2025 (Census, 2005) and there are already more people in the UK over 60 than there are under 16. Older people currently control a large proportion of the wealth in developed countries, and many have a substantial disposable income. There is also no evidence that they are particularly averse to using new technologies, if those technologies are appropriately designed and introduced (Demiris et al., 2004). The older population, therefore presents a sizeable market opportunity for the IT industry together with a challenge to discover how new technologies can be effectively designed for this group. In addition, the increasing proportion of older people will lead to a significant increase in the numbers needing support for daily activities and in those needing long term care. Technology presents one important avenue for providing such support, but only if it meets actual needs in appropriate ways and can be used effectively. Taken together, these conditions provide strong imperatives for investigating human–computer interaction for the older population.

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