Designing for Aging People with Parkinson’s Disease

In this chapter, the author describes impairments brought by aging and Parkinson’s disease to older users, to understand how these impact the individual’s senses, and to define the characteristics and requirements of this niche category of fragile users. The application of User-Centered Design methodologies to smart devices addressed to aging users requires a deep understanding of their abilities, and a correct analysis of their conditions to improve the usability of the product, service, or process that is going to be designed. The analysis presented in this chapter aims to define the aspects of motor and cognitive impairments that could be overcome by design and technological solutions improving the person’s senses.