Needs of the elderly for “elderly-aiming” products: From the view of gerontechnology

In order to clarify the needs of the elderly for ldquoelderly-aimingrdquo products, a questionnaire survey and an experimental study were carried out. A questionnaire survey showed that features which contribute to facilitate use of the essential function of each product were required. In the experimental study, in addition to subjective evaluation of features of an ldquoelderly-aimingrdquo radio, behavior and eye movements of the participants were recorded while looking at the brochure of the radio and trying it. The results showed that the elderly take account of features which enhance their declined functions due to aging process. If such features lead further difficulties, they are no longer important for the elderly users.