Evaluating User Interface and User Experience in Mobile Applications Designed for the Elderly

The mobile applications have been widely used nowadays, with a growing number of elderly individuals incorporating them into their daily lives. Despite the widespread adoption of smartphones and their associated applications, elderly users often encounter usability challenges. Existing literature suggested that these challenges could be attributed to age-related factors and their relative unfamiliarity with technology, all of which affect their interaction with mobile applications. This research endeavors to identify key attributes of user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) suitable for individuals aged 60 and above in Brunei Darussalam, addressing their specific limitations, and subjecting the UI to analyze based on established principles. Identification of appropriate UI characteristics was conducted through a combination of desk research and interviews with senior citizens. BruHealth, a mobile application focused on disseminating COVID-19 related information and services in Brunei Darussalam, served as a case study, and User-Centered Design Model was adopted to guide the enhanced design and development of its UI. Subsequently, a usability testing was conducted to assess the UI and UX of the improved design, aligning it with heuristic principles. The results reveal several areas necessitating improvement in the UI and UX of the application to align with age-related impairments.