Short answer

Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and deeply engage with the lived experiences and specific needs of older adults to create truly usable and desirable ICT solutions.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
Systematic Reviews (2023)
Method
Qualitative Systematic Review
Evidence
Strong effect

Older adults face significant obstacles in adopting Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for social interaction, stemming from health limitations, a lack of technical proficiency, and a general reluctance towards new technologies. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Systematic Reviews. Using Qualitative systematic review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and deeply engage with the lived experiences and specific needs of older adults to create truly usable and desirable ICT solutions.

Study
User-Centred DesignRecentStrong effect

Older adults' ICT adoption is hindered by health, skills, and trust barriers.

Older adults face significant obstacles in adopting Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for social interaction, stemming from health limitations, a lack of technical proficiency, and a general reluctance towards new technologies.

Systematic Reviews · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01Health issues (e.g., vision, hearing loss, mobility impairments) significantly impede ICT use.
  • 02Lack of technical skills and confidence in using digital devices is a major barrier.
  • 03Reluctance and distrust towards technology, often influenced by perceived complexity or security concerns, hinder adoption.
  • 04The design and interface of ICT solutions do not always cater to the specific needs and preferences of older adults.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and deeply engage with the lived experiences and specific needs of older adults to create truly usable and desirable ICT solutions.

How to apply

When designing any digital product or service intended for older adults, conduct thorough user research that specifically probes for health-related challenges, current skill levels, and attitudes towards technology.

Project actions

  • 01When designing for older users, think about how their eyesight or hearing might be affected.
  • 02Include simple tutorials or help guides in your design to make it easier to learn.
03

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the primary barriers older adults experience when using ICT for social interaction while aging in place?
MethodQualitative Systematic Review
ProcedureA systematic review was conducted by searching multiple databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science) for qualitative studies focusing on older adults (60+ years) aging in place and their experiences with ICT for social interaction. Studies were screened, data was extracted, and findings were synthesized using a meta-aggregation approach.
ContextAging in place, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use, Social Interaction

Variables

IVBarriers to ICT use (health, skills, reluctance)
DVICT adoption and use for social interaction
CV["Age of participants (60+)","Living situation (aging in place)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Comprehensive search strategy across multiple databases.
  • +Systematic approach to data extraction and synthesis.

Limitations

It can be difficult to recruit a diverse group of older adults for testing, and their health conditions can change, affecting test results.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the review is enhanced by the systematic methodology and independent assessment by multiple authors. Validity is supported by the broad search strategy and the focus on qualitative data to capture rich user experiences.

Think critically

To what extent do the identified barriers reflect universal challenges in technology adoption, or are they specific to the cultural and societal contexts of the reviewed studies?

05

Design Principles

"Design for accessibility and usability by considering the diverse physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs of the target user group throughout the entire design process."

Understanding these barriers is critical for designers and developers aiming to create inclusive and effective digital solutions for an aging population. Ignoring these factors can lead to the development of technologies that are inaccessible, leading to social isolation rather than connection.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Older people find it hard to use computers and phones for talking to others because of their health, not knowing how to use them, or not wanting to.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify focusing your design project on a specific user group's needs, like older adults, and to identify potential design challenges you need to address.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This qualitative systematic review by Jøranson et al. (2023) identifies significant barriers faced by older adults in adopting ICT for social interaction, including health limitations, lack of technical skills, and reluctance. These findings underscore the necessity for user-centered design approaches that prioritize accessibility, intuitive interfaces, and comprehensive support systems when developing technologies for this demographic.

09

Source

Systematic Reviews

Experienced barriers in the use of ICT for social interaction in older adults ageing in place: a qualitative systematic review protocol (SYSR-D-22–00848)

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about older adults' ict adoption is hindered by health, skills, and trust barriers?
Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and deeply engage with the lived experiences and specific needs of older adults to create truly usable and desirable ICT solutions. Evidence: Systematic Reviews (2023).
Why does "Older adults' ICT adoption is hindered by health, skills, and trust barriers." matter for design?
Understanding these barriers is critical for designers and developers aiming to create inclusive and effective digital solutions for an aging population. Ignoring these factors can lead to the development of technologies that are inaccessible, leading to social isolation rather than connection.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers must move beyond purely functional considerations and deeply engage with the lived experiences and specific needs of older adults to create truly usable and desirable ICT solutions.
What were the main findings?
Health issues (e.g., vision, hearing loss, mobility impairments) significantly impede ICT use.. Lack of technical skills and confidence in using digital devices is a major barrier.. Reluctance and distrust towards technology, often influenced by perceived complexity or security concerns, hinder adoption.. The design and interface of ICT solutions do not always cater to the specific needs and preferences of older adults.
What research method was used?
Qualitative Systematic Review.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Systematic Reviews.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any digital product or service intended for older adults, conduct thorough user research that specifically probes for health-related challenges, current skill levels, and attitudes towards technology.
What are the limitations?
The review's findings are based on existing qualitative research, which may have variations in methodology and scope. The focus is specifically on older adults aging in place, limiting generalizability to other demographics or living situations.