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The number of older adults online is growing. They also account for a significant proportion of global wealth and are an important market demographic for banks and financial services. Older adults are however, less likely to adopt and use internet banking and online services than younger users. Barriers to adoption include physical and cognitive impairments, as well as issues regarding trust, anxiety and technophobia. There is much existing research and guidelines providing recommendations in designing for the online needs, and overcoming the barriers, of the older adult. However, in recent times, there has been an evolution of web design trends and practices, the effect of which on the older adult is not yet fully understood. Understanding the impact of these design trends and practices can help us to facilitate the online needs of older adults and improve their uptake and use of internet banking and online financial services.
About the author
Sean Russell graduated from University College Cork, Ireland with a degree in Business Information Systems in 2008. He then specialized in online usability and accessibility for the older-adult, completing his MSc thesis in the subject matter in 2009. He currently works as an experience and interaction designer in London, UK.
