Mobile Phones and Elderly People: a noisy communication

Abstract

Knowing the users is capital for building user-friendly digital interfaces. One way to think about the users is considering their familiarity with this technology. This article presents the results of twelve interviews with elderly people residing in the so-called South Zone of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) who have used mobile phones over at least one year. It is part of the Doctor's Thesis "Mobile phones for elderly people -usability for social integration" ("Celulares para idosos -usabilidade a serviço da integração social"), which is targeted at ascertaining if the current mobile phones are user-friendly for elderly people. Through the technique of Guided Interviews, we found usage time, criteria for choice of phones, reasons for changes, preferences, and manners of use. Preliminarily, we have noticed differences in the behavior of the participating users and performed a qualitative analysis according to groups of age and gender.

A percepção do idoso sobre a comunicação no processo de envelhecimento

“…Given the importance of communication and interactive processes in all age groups (10) , it is interesting that the elderly public empowers themselves with the possibilities that these new processes bring, impacting their communication, in order to remain participative and active in society and, therefore, improve their quality of life, as demonstrated by the participants of this research. Becoming active in their process and remaining dynamic in society has made participants aware of the need for empowerment, the search for stimulation and healthy ways of living, to experience the aging process.…”

“…During the aging process, the ability to communicate becomes a valuable aspect, given that the elderly population undergoes a series of changes that have an impact on their lives and can lead to social exclusion (10,11) .…”

“…The increase in the use of ICTs is a significant factor at the global level, since technologies have mediated the relations between human beings, so that those who remain outside this new pattern tend not to be included in social processes (6) . When it comes to the elderly population, socialization becomes a crucial factor for the maintenance of quality of life (10,11) .…”