A study on the usability of mobile phones for the elderly

Abstract

The elderly will gradually form a very significant proportion of the telecommunications market as the population ages more quickly. However, older people are experiencing difficulty in using mobile phones because most mobile phones are designed for the young generation. Access to telecommunications offers the elderly more independence, mobility and better quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the needs of the elderly in using mobile phones and find ways to improve the usability of mobile phones for the elderly. It was found that people over 50 years old normally have trouble using the functions of mobile phones used in Korea; most of them could use only the basic functions.