Enhancing Social Engagement for Elderly People Through Interest-Based Employment: A Design Thinking Approach

Thailand's ageing population is increasingly facing challenges related to social isolation, physical and mental health, and overall life satisfaction. While digital systems such as interactive games show potential, the application of effective design frameworks and principles for elderly-friendly systems remains limited. This paper introduces “WangJung,” a mobile application developed using the design thinking methodology to assist elderly people in leveraging their skills for post-retirement services. The application facilitates meaningful activities and income generation, thereby improving community integration and quality of life for elderly people. We evaluated how design thinking fosters user-centric designs and the applicability of established UX laws and heuristics to elderly-centric digital systems. Initial usability test results indicate that “WangJung” is user-friendly, easy to use, and effective in helping elderly people find part-time jobs aligned with their interests and potentially re-integrate into society. These findings support the efficacy of design thinking in enhancing elderly user experiences and affirm the relevance of existing UX principles. The study's design recommendations can inform future research in aging and technology. Longitudinal studies are recommended to assess the long-term impact and engagement with design thinking among elderly people.