Sharing InsightsHow to integrate the modern 70 year-old in a connected society.

Where did you learn from?

My beautiful grandma My co-workers People I met during the course

How to integrate the modern 70 year-old in a connected society

Meet Teresa. My grandmother!

• 78 years-old • Mother of two • Six grandsons • Widow

During the course I’ve been connecting with new scenarios and perspectives related and not related to my challenge. After completed all the assignments I visited my grandmother in order to get insights and validate the observations I took through the exercises.

How to integrate the modern 70 year-old in a connected society

Insight #1

To integrate, technology has to be accesible.

I gave my smartphone to my grandmother and asked her if she can find an app called “Instagram”. As she was unable to recognise the icon she has to look at for it’s name. She has a visual disability but even with her glasses she wasn’t able to find it in a considerable distance. Instead, she had to put the screen close to her eyes and after very attempts she found it.

A story about a test

How to integrate the modern 70 year-old in a connected society

They have visual limitations

Motor diseases

Icons and text are too small for them

Insight #2

To integrate, adults need to be engaged.

“I heard about WhatsApp but nobody told me how to use it.” - Teresa

How to integrate the modern 70 year-old in a connected society

Integrate accessibility into communication products

There is a lack of training programs for adults

Insight #3

To connect, technology has to be more intuitive for adults.“I don’t know how to use a smartphone but I know how to use the phone” - Teresa

I asked to my grandmother to take my smartphone and call to her son. She didn’t know how to unlock it but after many attempts she looked at the screen and it was surprised about the amount of icons. She recognised the phone icon and taped on it but she couldn’t dial the number because she had to tap on another icon first. Due to this amount of steps she felt uncomfortable and took the telephone instead.

A story about a test

How to integrate the modern 70 year-old in a connected society

Complex interfaces for older technology users

Education programs for adults

There are too many apps for their limited needs

Agustin Schelstraete

Thank you!