Working at 90 and designing for age
Stimulated by a recent NPR segment on working at 90, here are some thoughts about user interfaces for older adults, and why they fall short.
Impact Theme: Uncategorized (or other)
Legal and Financial Issues following Dementia Diagnosis
My husband has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I need to make sure I have taken care of everything. I do have power of attorney but want to make sure everything has been taken care of. What should I be worrying about? Alice
Hearing aid batteries don’t last long
One participant in this discussion was explaining how frustrating it was to have to replace his hearing aid batteries every week. Not to mention expensive. Another participant had a different product that had rechargeable batteries that largely eliminated this concern. Cross pollination of ideas followed.
How do I remember all my passwords?
Today we all have lots of passwords for our online lives. This problem is widespread of course. These seniors discuss how annoying it is for them, and what solutions they use as workarounds.
Can’t Reach Toenails to Cut Them Anymore
Older people complain that at some point, for one reason or another, it is no longer possible to reach toenails for clipping. What is available – short of paying for the service – to make this mundane hygienic procedure ‘within reach’ again? At a Longevity Explorer discussion circle in September, 2014, a group of residents … Read more
Avoiding social isolation & keeping an active lifestyle
Discussion held at September 2014 Aging-in-Place-Technologies meetup, San Carlos, CA. Situation: parent not getting out, lonely in home.
Stove turn off reminder
I first started thinking of (expensive) automatic shut-off means but why not just set a loud countdown timer nearby and set for expected time of needing to turn off stove? Smart phones have this ability too…
Timer Based Gas Control
I envision a gas burner control that has a “turn timer” like you might find on a bathroom heat lamp. The dial has some internal spring activated timer. Advancing the control winds the timer. As time passes the timer winds down and eventually returns to the Off position. How long the timer stays in the … Read more
iForget
Lately, I have noticed that my short term memory is worsening. It happens most often while at home. I may go from one room to another to fetch something, and by the time I get there, I’ve forgotten what it is I’m fetching (or even that I am fetching anything). This may happen at any … Read more