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Interactive Kiosks for the Elderly

by

S.Roberts

The UK has a growing ageing population and with more elderly residents in the country there is an ever increasing need to help and support them. Touch screen information Kiosks for the elderly bring help and support to those people who need it, and with remote access, kiosks can be kept up to date with all the latest information that old people might need access to.

Kiosks for the elderly need to have a really user friendly interface, to make it easy to navigate the information. The touch screen kiosks make interacting with a kiosk really easy. Touch screen technology doesn t assume that the user has any previous computer experience. Front-facing the software screens display buttons and the user simply presses the buttons on the screen to select the information that they would like to display. The kiosk removes the need for users to search for information by replacing it with a discovery model whereby users navigate to information and other resources that can help. Making the kiosks look easy to use encourages people to use the machine, of course when they have used it once and experienced how easy it is, they feel comfortable to use it again and again.

As with many of the elderly, although they may be able bodied, their vision and hearing may be somewhat impaired compared to a younger person. To compensate for this, kiosks for the elderly have special features to help users to use the kiosks unaided.

Large Font Sizes

The kiosks have an option for the user to request a larger font size. If the user presses the large font button the font size is increased to a bigger size that the user should be able to read more easily.

Text Reader

For users who still have difficulty reading from the screen, the kiosks have a text reader. When a button is pressed the kiosks reads the screen out to the user.

Hearing Loop

For users with hearing difficulties, kiosk for the elderly are fitted with a hearing loop to provide hearing assistance to hearing aid users.

High contrast modes

The kiosk can present the information using a high contrast style to aid the visually impaired.

Integrated Telephone

For those with difficulty in understanding information, the kiosk can also have a telephone handset integrated such that the user can make a free phone call to and organisation which can help them.

Kiosks for the elderly are usually desk mounted. The benefits of desk mounted kiosks are not only that they are wheelchair friendly, but they also allow non wheel chair users to be seated whilst using the machine. Some old people find it difficult to stand for long periods of time. Other old people might not need a wheel chair, but might use a walking aid If you are using a walking aid, it makes it difficult to use the touch screen because you need to use your hands, desk mounted kiosks alleviate these issues.

Kiosks for the elderly are ideally placed in areas of the community where the elderly would find them accessible the community centre, the doctor s surgery, the local library, hospitals and council buildings. Being in a council maintained building means that the kiosks could be monitored with the councils surveillance system to ensure the safety of the kiosks and its users.

The information that is added to the kiosks may vary from month to month as seasonal news and services come into effect – Advertising help with gardening services, winter shopping services, and notices about when they can arrange to receive a flu jab and so on.

The kiosk would also house practical, all round information such as:

Benefits and Grants that the elderly can claim for.

Information about how to find the right care home and other housing information.

Social groups events, activities where the elderly to meet other people and socialise.

Armchair exercise classes for the elderly to keep fit and healthy.

On-screen services such as ordering repeat prescriptions.

Information about Meals on Wheels services, cleaning services, and home help.

Kiosks can also be used to gather information from the elderly users by means of surveys.

Information and surveys can all be added very easily thought the central management system that remotely updates all the kiosks on the network in moments. Kiosks can help the elderly to retain some of their independence by addressing some of the issues that arise with older people, and offering solutions for their needs.

http://www.kiosks4business.com develop touch screen kiosks and kiosk software. Find out more about http://www.kiosks4business.com the kiosks manufacturer and interactive kiosks on the website.

Article Source:

ArticleRich.com