Domestic appliances, especially those that are complex and unfamiliar, may bewilder older adults suffering cognitive decline in attention, perceptual encoding, memory (cueing and recall), and self-efficacy. Successful use of technology depends on a user's mental model of operation. For older adults, transfer of understanding from similar, more familiar technologies can help their encoding of new mental models for unfamiliar devices. Leveraging established mental models provides affordances for new devices, but may constrain discovery and use of advanced functionality. Interference from existing mental models may also affect development of newer, more fitting mental models or interaction behaviour. Extending the cognitive abilities of older adults through adaptive product design provides opportunity to sustain their independence in the home. Empirical evidence from gerontology studies and concepts from human factors and cognitive psychology are reviewed to explain age-related behaviour towards technology and to open discussion on focused product design.

The ability of older adults to use a domestic appliance depends on their comprehension of the appliance's operation. This may depend on transfer of understanding from similar, more familiar technology. While this may assist their interaction with the new device, it may constrain the discovery of new functionality not represented in the familiar technology, and, thereby, constrain the discovery of advanced functionality. Older adults experience declining cognitive abilities associated with attention, perceptual encoding, and memory (cueing and recall). Designing appliances to extend cognitive abilities provides opportunity to prolong functional independence. Concepts from cognitive psychology, human factors, and gerontology are reviewed to explain age-related behavior towards technology to support innovative product development of technologies for older adults.

Motivation -To prolong functional independence of elderly persons who experience cognitive decline in attention, perceptual encoding, memory and selfefficacy.Research approach -Ability of older adults to use domestic appliances depends on their mental model of operation. This may depend on transfer of understanding from similar, more familiar technology. Leveraging established mental models creates affordances for operating new technology but may constrain the discovery of advanced functionality. Familiar mental models may also interfere with developing appropriate mental models or interaction behaviour. Findings/Design -Designing appliances to extend cognitive abilities provides opportunity to prolong functional independence. Concepts from cognitive psychology, human factors, and gerontology are reviewed to explain age-related behaviour towards technology to support innovative product development of technologies for older adults with cognitive impairment.Take away message -The understanding of declining cognitive abilities must drive the development of technologies that sustain the independence of persons who are cognitive impaired.

No abstract

No abstract