Possible implications of aging for interface designers

The findings on the effects of age on relevant abilities are reviewed to provide suggestions to consider when designing interfaces for older users.

Abstract

The populations of the developed countries are becoming older while computer use is affecting increasingly wide aspects of life. Thus it is increasingly important that interface designs make software accessible to older adults. However there is almost no research on what makes an interface usable for older adults. As a stopgap measure this paper reviews the findings on the effects of age on relevant abilities and uses this information to provide suggestions to consider when designing interfaces for older users. The paper concludes with indications of the needed research in the area of interface design for older users.