A Queensland University of Technology researcher is looking for volunteers to take part in a study aimed at making contemporary appliances such as dvd players and mobile phones more usable for the elderly.
Simon Lawry, from QUT's Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, said if products were designed based on "intuitive interaction", or using knowledge gained through other experiences, it could give older adults increased independence.
Mr Lawry's study involves observing people aged 18 and over using everyday appliances in their homes.
He said if a person was already familiar with using certain technology, by adapting that technology to other products, it provided familiarity and freed up cognitive resources.
"Previous research has shown that one of the reasons older adults struggle with new technology and using contemporary products is that as they age their cognitive abilities often decline," he said.
"A good example is an ATM.
When an older person is at an ATM and they are struggling to use it, it is because they are using all of their cognitive resources.
"If we can determine what older people are already familiar with - then based on the idea of intuitive use - they should be able to go up to a product and use it without necessarily having to learn to use it."
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