Enhancing Mobile Accessibility for Seniors

Technology should work for everyone—not just the young and tech-savvy. Yet, many websites, apps, and devices overlook the needs of older adults, making them frustrating or even impossible to use. Here’s how to design with older users in mind: 1. Increase Text Size & Contrast Use at least 16px font size (preferably 18-20px). High contrast (dark text on a light background) improves readability. Avoid light gray text—it’s hard to see. 2. Simplify Navigation Use clear, large buttons instead of small, cluttered menus. Keep menus visible at all times (no hidden sidebars). Use familiar icons (a house for ‘Home,’ a magnifying glass for ‘Search’). 3. Make Clickable Elements Bigger Small links or buttons are hard to tap, especially on mobile. Min button size: 44x44 pixels for easy clicking. 4. Support Voice Commands & Screen Readers Many older adults prefer using voice controls (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant). Ensure your site is compatible with screen readers. 5. Avoid Fast Animations & Auto-Playing Content Sudden movements or flashing content can be disorienting. Allow users to pause or disable animations. 6. Minimize Required Typing Auto-fill fields (name, email) to reduce manual entry. Offer one-click logins (Google, Apple, or biometric login). 7. Provide Clear Error Messages & Guidance If a user makes a mistake, explain what went wrong and how to fix it. Example: Instead of "Invalid input," say, "Your password must be at least 8 characters long." 8. Test with Older Users The best way to improve accessibility? Ask real users. Run usability tests with seniors to spot pain points early. Designing for older adults isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about respect. If your product is easy for them to use, it’s easier for everyone.

This is the first of several posts highlighting key concepts and strategies health tech companies should keep in mind when trying to sell into Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. A portion of my time as Director of Population Health at a MA plan has been devoted to evaluating health tech company partnership pitches. I admit it’s nice to be the one pitched *to*, having sat on the other side of the table at a previous mental health tech startup. This dual experience has cemented the following “truths” about products that MA plans will be most excited about: 🔵 MA plans are looking for solutions that have been specifically designed for an older adult population, meaning the technology is accessible to a generation that didn’t grow up with computers, let alone smartphones. Fonts should be large and clear (calling all gray font offenders…), onboarding and navigation flows should be simplified and tested with older adults, and phone support available with a live person. 🔵 Research by Ganguli et al. (2023) showed that 40-60% of older adults prefer phone calls over video visits, and anecdotally I've seen even higher rates for mental health visit preferences. If your solution includes sessions with a coach/provider, ensure these services are available via phone call in addition to video, with the member receiving a phone call at the scheduled time. 🔵 Many seniors and dual-eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) members have financial stressors and aren’t as willing to spend money on unlimited data plans as younger cohorts. With limited data storage, downloading an app can be a barrier to care. The best solutions for seniors are optimized for web browsers on phone and computer. 🔵 Do not require a credit card if the service is free to the member. I’ve seen this with products that are offered as a MA supplemental benefit, but also have other business models where the consumer is charged for late cancellations or other fees. Similarly, avoid asking for SSN as part of the enrollment process if you can avoid it, as this will raise alarm bells for some people. 🔵 This last gem is true for anyone selling into any payer covering any demographic – the ability to demonstrate equitable access, engagement, clinically significant outcomes, and positive member experience is critical to landing a partnership. What other product design considerations did I miss for the MA population? #medicareadvantage #healthtech #partnerships

Low digital literacy can diminish a person’s confidence and agency. For #GAAD I want to talk about seniors. Why? As we age, internet use declines and disability increases. More than 50% of older Australians (over 65s) live with #disability. This can mean changes to: - cognition - dexterity - memory - mobility - hearing - vision. I asked *30 seniors* about their experience finding and using information online in a series of comprehensive community consultations and 1:1 user testing sessions late last year, with Embrace Access. ✋Most seniors reported feeling “left behind” in a digital age, whereby internet-use could no longer be avoided in their day-to-day lives. 🏆 Seniors suggested *3 tips* for improving their user experience: 1. Make it easy to download and print. Many seniors preferred to print hard copy factsheets, bank statements and forms to file away, or refer back to with ease later. One participant explained: “I just want a piece of paper in my hand.” 2. Include contact information. (And offer multiple contact methods.) Use large, sans serif fonts for phone numbers and email addresses. Position contact info in many obvious places. For example, in headers or footers. Hidden phone numbers were a major source of frustration for this group. 3. Be specific with links. Vague link text created anxiety and increased uncertainty. So, instead of writing “Return”, try writing something like, “Click for the home page”. Clear instructions = confident users. I think it's important to remember that not everyone is readily embracing our digital age. But, simple #accessibility tips can help to make the adjustment more positive or less stressful overall. Happy #GAAD👋 [Alt text in image. Supporting research and links in comments.] #UX #GlobalAccessibilityAwarenessDay #InclusiveDesign #AccessibilityMatters #DigitalAccess

I was recently Featured in an article in @UX Designers.io about "How Has User Feedback Altered Design Approaches in UX" . More specifically, I discussed approaches in Prioritizing Elderly User Accessibility in Healthcare IT. In short, and for successful engagement, user-centered design is at the heart of our human-focused digital transformation consulting practice. As an example, though perhaps obvious, here's a powerful reminder of its importance and that you shouldn't assume anything until you have tested with the user group.: We designed what we thought was a sleek patient portal for appointment scheduling. User testing, however, exposed a crucial issue: elderly patients struggled with the limited text and small icons. Their feedback? Bigger fonts, increased color contrast, and clear labels were essential. This flipped our approach. Functionality became the priority. The redesigned portal featured larger buttons, step-by-step instructions, and even voice-activated search. Usability testing showed a dramatic increase in successful bookings, especially among seniors. Key takeaway: Design for ALL users, not just the tech-savvy. In healthcare IT, user feedback isn't a suggestion, it's the foundation for successful patient engagement. Our designs should empower, not frustrate, the people who rely on them most. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences https://lnkd.in/gbDS62BS #healthcareIT #userexperience #designthinking #accessibility #seniorcare

Lyft knew they had a problem. Only 5.6% of its users are over 65, and those users are 57% more likely to miss the ride they ordered. So, Lyft created Silver – a special app version for seniors. But why create a separate app when these improvements would benefit all users? The curb-cut effect is real. Features designed for wheelchair users ended up helping parents with strollers, travelers with luggage, and delivery workers with carts. The features in Lyft's senior-friendly app wouldn't only benefit older riders: 💡The 1.4x larger font option? Great for bright sunlight, rough rides. 💡Simplified interface? Less cognitive load for all of us. 💡Live help operators? Great for anyone when there's a problem. 💡Select preference for easy entry/exit vehicles? Not everyone likes pickup trucks. What started as an accommodation should became a universal improvement. The most powerful insight? Designing for seniors forced Lyft to prioritize what truly matters: simplicity and ease of use. Will they leverage this for all their users? The next time someone suggests adding another button to your interface or feature to your product, consider this approach instead: sometimes the most innovative design is the one that works for everyone. Rather than creating separate "accessible" versions, what if we just built our core products to be usable by all? This is the paradox of inclusive design - what works better for some almost always works better for all. What "accessibility" feature have you encountered that actually made life better for all users? #UniversalDesign #ProductThinking #CustomerExperience