The 60-year-old female worker as user of new technology

The aim of this study was to get a preliminary picture of how aged female workers use typical applications of new technology in daily life. The study group consisted of 29 sixty-year-old female workers and recently retired women who had mainly worked in light physical indoor work. The subjects completed a questionnaire, dexterity of the hands and reaction time of the subjects were measured, and user-trials with a computer and remote control device were performed. Almost all subjects had used remote control device daily at home. In a user-trial 28% of the subjects had experienced difficulties in using the device, although the model of the device used was a simple one. A computer had been used by 31% of the subjects. In a user-trial with a word processor most of the subjects experienced difficulties in operating the mouse. Measured dexterity of the hands was slightly better among the subjects who performed well on the computer test. The attitudes towards new technology varied greatly, but most of the opinions were positive. The present study illustrates that a lot of work is still needed to design technological products suitable to the needs of an aged population.