Identifying and Addressing Digital Interface Barriers for Swedish Seniors Using a User-Centred Design Approach

In Sweden’s increasingly digital society, limited integration and inclusivity can lead to exclusion for population groups, such as seniors (65+). Barriers relating to motivation, physical interaction, and cognition affect seniors’ ability to adapt to technology. This study explores such barriers through a user-centred design approach that actively involves seniors and utilises cognitive science theories, using a simplified narrative analysis during both exploratory and evaluative phases. A key contribution of this study lies in integrating cognitive aspects of ageing and user-centred design to create a digital postbox interface. The first phase focuses on identifying the requirements and barriers that Swedish seniors encounter when using technology, conducted through data collection from semi-structured interviews, usability testing and an IMI questionnaire with eight Swedish seniors. A simplified narrative analysis identified overarching barriers organised into four main themes. The results informed design rationales that were implemented in a high fidelity (hi-fi) Figma prototype during Phase 2. The implemented design rationales primarily addressed: increased size, simple navigation, user feedback, web transition, familiar language and onboarding. In Phase 3, the prototype was evaluated through data collection from semi-structured interviews, usability testing and an IMI questionnaire with five Swedish seniors. The simplified narrative analysis of the evaluation indicated that these implementations aligned with user expectations and contributed to an improved user experience.