Abstract

Computer technology and the Internet have become inseparable parts of our daily lives. However, as people grow older and their physiological and cognitive functions deteriorate, many stages in the interaction with computers can be compromised. Taking into account the importance of interactive (web based) computer systems in our rapidly evolving “knowledge society “, and their inherent benefits for senior citizens and for the entire community, we initiated an ongoing research activity to study the compatibility of interactive computer displays, including health-care interfaces, for the elderly. The studies were performed on elderly (65+) and young participants. The participants completed various tasks on a variety of specially constructed, experimental prototypes of general and web-based health care systems, with hidden, computer implanted tracking programs. Experimental parameters included time for task completion, acuity, preference, satisfaction and physiological parameters of heart rate, skin temperature and sweat, measured with miniature sensors. Our results, based on three different studies (link configurations, nutrition intake and coagulation functions), suggest that older adults can perform Internet-related tasks as well as younger people, although more slowly. However proper links selection, user models and appropriate visualization methods can potentially improve the use of interactive computer systems by elderly users.

Keywords

Design and the internet; Design for all; Design for healthcare; Design methods - design research methods; Old.

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Nov 1st, 12:00 AM

Design Studies in Adapting Interactive Computer Interfaces for Elderly Users

Computer technology and the Internet have become inseparable parts of our daily lives. However, as people grow older and their physiological and cognitive functions deteriorate, many stages in the interaction with computers can be compromised. Taking into account the importance of interactive (web based) computer systems in our rapidly evolving “knowledge society “, and their inherent benefits for senior citizens and for the entire community, we initiated an ongoing research activity to study the compatibility of interactive computer displays, including health-care interfaces, for the elderly. The studies were performed on elderly (65+) and young participants. The participants completed various tasks on a variety of specially constructed, experimental prototypes of general and web-based health care systems, with hidden, computer implanted tracking programs. Experimental parameters included time for task completion, acuity, preference, satisfaction and physiological parameters of heart rate, skin temperature and sweat, measured with miniature sensors. Our results, based on three different studies (link configurations, nutrition intake and coagulation functions), suggest that older adults can perform Internet-related tasks as well as younger people, although more slowly. However proper links selection, user models and appropriate visualization methods can potentially improve the use of interactive computer systems by elderly users.

 

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