As Australia’s population ages, the usability of everyday products and assistive technologies becomes increasingly important in supporting the independence and daily lives of older adults. However, findings from a national survey conducted by the Global Centre for Modern Ageing (GCMA) reveal a significant gap between the industry’s perception of product user-friendliness for older adults and the actual usability challenges they face every day. This presentation examines how product usability supports the health, wellbeing, and autonomy of older Australians, highlighting the need for more user-centred approaches and innovative solutions.

The GCMA survey data indicates that many everyday products and assistive technologies, even those intended for older adults, do not meet their usability needs and preferences. While 93% of respondents reported that product usability supports independent living, more than half said products are not user-friendly, with 81% saying that product designers and manufacturers overlook their needs. This data aligns with other GCMA findings from client and community engagements, which identified eight common usability challenges experienced by older adults, including small print, weight and handling issues, and safety concerns.

In response to these challenges, the GCMA has developed an innovative digital platform co-designed with and for older adults. This platform offers a comprehensive framework to systematically test and rate products, introducing a new usability metric for the sector. It provides professionals with evidence-based insights into the strengths and challenges of product usability, informing product design, sales, and procurement. By identifying usability issues before procurement, the platform can mitigate risk, increase product adoption and user satisfaction, and reduce waste. Importantly, this process supports the independence and wellbeing of older Australians, with their voices central to the process, ensuring that their experiences and feedback directly shape the evaluation and rating of products.

The GCMA’s research underscores the importance of addressing the gap between product usability and the lived experiences of older Australians. This presentation will demonstrate how this user-centred tool can drive continuous improvement within the industry, providing insights that professionals can apply to better meet the needs of an ageing population.