Do you work as a web developer, or are you considering a healthcare career? If yes, you should know the key factors that inform successful healthcare websites. The rapid digitalization of healthcare services has transformed millions of individuals’ access to information and medical care. However, old people face various obstacles while interacting with this technology. Limited digital literacy, visual impairments, and excessively sophisticated user interfaces hinder access to information and services.
This article discusses the adverse effects of an inaccessible website, the significance of accessible web design for an aging population, the typical problems they face, and some tips for improving the usability of healthcare websites.
The Widening Digital Gap in Elderly Healthcare
The gap in digital access? It’s the difference between people who can easily use modern technology and people who can’t. This disparity impacts healthcare access. While some people find it challenging to locate the website, others can make appointments online. Despite being more tech-savvy than their predecessors, older folks have particular difficulties using digital platforms. Many senior citizens do not use the internet. Although seniors are using the internet more, there are still gaps, according to the Pew Research Center. Education, age, and income all matter. For example, internet connection is less common among older persons with lower incomes. Additionally, a lot of senior citizens are not tech-savvy. They may be unable to recognize a secure website or the utilization of telehealth resources.
Consequences of Inaccessible Healthcare Websites
Inaccessible websites can lead to significant issues. People tend to miss appointments, medication errors increase, diagnoses are delayed, and preventative care is often missed. A lousy UI can not only cause frustration and anxiety but also kill. In the article “How Bad UX Killed Jenny“, Jonathan Shariat recounts a tragic incident where poor user interface design in a hospital’s software system contributed to a patient’s death. A young cancer patient named Jenny(The patient’s name was never shared) had a battle with cancer for four years and was finally discharged but later relapsed. She needed a powerful drug that required 3 days of IV hydration before and after administration. The three nurses struggled with software instead of catching the oversight and missed the crucial step. Jenny went without hydration for two steps. By the following day, Jenny passed away from dehydration.
Most of us can design an interface and forget it must be convenient. The most terrible thing is that the product will fail. But if we talk about medical software or the design of the airplane cockpit, the interface becomes a matter of life and death. While a person may not die directly from an inconvenient interface, the consequences of errors—both from pilots and designers—can endanger the lives of all passengers. The issue of low-quality design has never touched me so emotionally. This is not just an inconvenience; it is dangerous.
Source: How Bad UX Killed Jenny by Jonathan Shariat | Tragic Design | Medium (Image Source: Kai Schreiber)
Importance of accessible design for Older Adults
The human body steadily deteriorates over time. Our physical dexterity, hearing, and vision all naturally deteriorate as we age. Many digital products are inaccessible and frustrating because they can’t adapt to the needs of the age. Users of all ages may encounter difficulties while navigating poorly designed healthcare websites, but older folks encounter many challenges. However, hearing loss, diminished motor abilities, and vision problems are common as you age. Despite being one of the fastest-growing populations, older individuals frequently have trouble accessing digital content.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in five Americans will be over 65 by 2030. Because of this demographic transition, web developers must prioritize making online platforms accessible. Missed appointments, trouble obtaining medical information, and a general deterioration in health management are all consequences of the digital divide in health care. A study published in BMC Geriatrics highlights that not all older adults have equal opportunities to access and benefit from digital technologies, which can lead to healthcare disparities.
Web accessibility is not only a matter of convenience but also a legal and ethical responsibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to websites. Section 508 requires federal agencies to make their websites accessible. More than the law, there is ethics. Healthcare providers should ensure everyone has equal access to online services. It’s about fairness and respect.
A report by BMC Public Health (2024) stated that ensuring Accessibility can reduce healthcare disparities and increase engagement with digital health tools by 50% among older adults. Moreover, Microsoft Research (2023) pointed out that accessibility improvements lead to a 30% increase in online health service usage among North American seniors.
The Pew Research Center reports that while 73% of adults aged 65 and older use the Internet, many struggle with various aspects of web design. Accessibility is more than just a buzzword; it encompasses inclusive practices that ensure individuals can effectively use and navigate websites regardless of age or ability.
Understanding the Needs of Older Adults Online
Older adults face unique challenges online. Physical and mental changes can impact website usability. Understanding these changes is essential to creating better websites.
Age-Related Vision Changes
Older people often complain about the tiny text. This is because as people age, the eye’s lens hardens, making it difficult to focus on close objects. This leads to difficulty seeing small text, low-contrast colors, and complex layouts.
Image source: Contrast as a Principle of Design
Age-Related Cognitive Changes
It is harder to focus or process information quickly when we get old. Websites with too much information at once, frequent pop-ups, and alert messages are challenging for users with cognitive impairments, making it overwhelming and difficult to process information.
Motor Skill Limitations
Arthritis and tremors are common in older adults. These conditions can make it hard to use a mouse or touchscreen. Small buttons and links become challenging to click, and filling out forms becomes frustrating. Websites need more prominent, easier-to-use controls.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Healthcare
WCAG is the gold standard for web accessibility. It ensures websites are usable for everyone, including those with disabilities. Healthcare websites should follow WCAG to serve all patients.
Overview of WCAG Principles (POUR)
WCAG is based on four principles. They are Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).
- Perceivable: Information must be presentable in ways users can sense.
- Operable: Users must be able to navigate the interface.
- Understandable: Content must be clear and easy to grasp.
- Robust: Content must work well with different technologies.
Image Source: pour-principles-accessibility
For example, a healthcare website should offer text alternatives for images (Perceivable), allow keyboard navigation (Operable), use plain language (Understandable), and be compatible with screen readers (Robust).
Practical Strategies for Creating Accessible Healthcare Websites
Image Source : Do’s and Don’ts on designing for Accessibility
- Show One Thing at a Time
- Present information step by step to prevent overwhelming users.
- Avoid cluttered screens with too much data at once.
- Use Strong Color Contrasts and Significant Font Differences
Use high-contrast color schemes. Dark text on a light background works well. Make fonts large and easy to read. Use clear visual cues to guide users. Avoid flashing content. It can trigger seizures in some individuals.
- Avoid Solely Using Icons
- Always pair icons with labels to improve the clarity and usability of icons.
- Do not assume users will recognize all symbols intuitively.
- Label Form Fields Clearly
- Include descriptive labels and placeholder text in input fields.
- Avoid ambiguous or overly technical terms.
- Avoid Quick Animation and Pop-Ups
- Sudden movements can be distracting and disorienting for older adults.
- Ensure pop-ups do not block important content or disrupt navigation.
- Enable Keyboard Navigation
Make sure users can navigate your website using only a keyboard. This helps people with motor skill issues. Write semantic HTML and add ARIA attributes to improve screen reader compatibility. Test your site with screen readers.
- Provide a Clear Navigation Path
Keep navigation simple. Use clear menus. Include a site map. Breadcrumb trails help users know where they are. Organize content logically. A hierarchical structure makes information easier to find. 
- Ensure that users can complete essential actions (e.g., booking an appointment) within three taps or clicks.
- Reduce the number of steps needed to perform critical functions.
- Implement Assistive Technologies
- Text-to-speech options for users with vision impairments.
- Closed captions for video content.
- Testing and User Feedback
Test the website for accessibility, using automated tools, conducting manual reviews, and getting feedback from older adults help to improve the user experience.
Best Examples of UI Design of Health Websites
Digihaler
Digihaler is intended for adults prescribed by their healthcare professional a Digihaler. The app allows you to view and monitor your inhaler events and technique. You can also share reports from the app with your healthcare professional.
Image credit: Google Play, Digihaler (all rights belong to Google LLC)
GoodRx
It provides solutions to convenient and affordable medications.
Features
– Free medication reminder: Refill your prescriptions with pill reminder alerts
– Medicine Tracker: Manage medications with a drug guide & prescription list
– Medication log: Track everything from birth control prescriptions to medications
Image source: Google Play, GoodRx
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The NIH website is the best example of an accessible health website. The website focuses on plain language and has no jargon. Information is organized logically and offers alternative text for images. The site is fully keyboard accessible. User surveys show increased satisfaction among older adults and found it easier to find health information.
Conclusion
It is important to note that a visually pleasing health website accessible to older adults ultimately benefits all users and is not just limited to them. The ease of reading is the facilitator of the ease of use, intuitive navigation, and assistive technologies, which all together create a seamless experience that makes the internet more usable for everyone, especially individuals with temporary disability. Furthermore, suppose a healthcare organization boasts the highest accessibility. In that case, this will not only be a factor in increasing their reputation; it will also increase user engagement, consequently improving patient outcomes.
Ultimately, the healthcare websites that provide accessibility should have been considered long ago, but they must be the fundamental element in digital health strategies. Through universal design, healthcare givers do their utmost to aid each individual, whether old or disabled, in getting the information and the services they need most adequately. Healthcare providers and developers can:
- Do usability testing with the users.
- Update to the highest WCAG standards
- Teach older people through digital literacy programs.
- Another solution would be to offer easy-to-follow instructions (for example: phone support, AI chat support, voice search, and virtual assistant technology) to patients who struggle with digital navigation.
One of the most important goals we need to meet is to bridge the gap between those who know how to use technology and those who don’t. Such technological development opens up a world of potential where more seniors can access health services. So, let’s promote health equity together.
More Resources to Follow
- Wise Case Study: Accessible But Never Boring, by Stephanie S.
- Improving UI/UX in Medical Apps by Konstantin Kalinin
- Designing For Older Audiences, by Matthew Stephens
- Better Microcopy For Older Adults, by Michal Halperin Ben Zvi (PhD.), Kinneret Yifrah
- What You Can Learn From Older Adults, by Becca Selah
- Designing Age-Inclusive Products, by Michal Halperin Ben Zvi (PhD.)
Ashim Upadhaya
Ashim Upadhaya is a software engineer with over eight years of experience in full-stack development. He specializes in building accessible and high-performance user interfaces and backend systems to ensure compliance with WCAG 2.0 and A11Y standards. His work focuses on creating inclusive digital health solutions that make Health and wellness programs accessible to all users, including older adults and individuals with disabilities. Ashim has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Truman State University, USA, and an MS in Engineering Management from Trine University, USA. Contact Ashim on LinkedIn athttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ashimupadhaya/.
