Meeting the communication needs of an aging society - promoting positive communication between older adults and their family members

Bai, Qiuailin

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/98420 Copy

Description

Title

Meeting the communication needs of an aging society - promoting positive communication between older adults and their family members

Author(s)

Bai, Qiuailin

Issue Date

2017-07-19

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Weightman, David

Department of Study

Art & Design

Discipline

Art and Design

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Older adults
• Communication

Abstract

We are living in an era of highly developed communication technology. Nowadays, communication designs and tools are making it easier for people to connect with each other, using mobile phones, email, applications and social media sites, etc. Research has shown that for older adults, staying in contact with people around them is crucial for their mental and physical health. They want to know about their family members, such as the well-being of their adult children (WRVS). Communication technologies are helping more people to communicate. However, older adults are not benefiting from them due to their problems with using the technology (Catherine, et al). According to research, most interface designs are too complicated for older adults to use because aging has a particular effect in digital design. At the same time, they hope to have reciprocal and frequent communication with their family members. As for younger generations, they are addicted to such communication technologies, but they don’t always take the initiative to connect with older adults in their family. “Nexa” is the Latin word for “connection”. The designer intends to build Nexa, an application that is simple enough for older adults to use for communication and motivates other family members to participate in sharing their lives with their older relatives. Low-effort use, multiform messages, and reciprocal communications are realized in this design.

Graduation Semester

2017-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/98420

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2017 Qiuailin Bai

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