Glossary
Searchable terminology from accessibility, web standards, and related fields.
35 results found in Aging.
- Grey Digital Divide (Gray Digital Divide, Age-Related Digital Divide)
- The gap in technology adoption, usage, and digital skills between older adults and younger populations. While older adults may be interested in using technology for communication, health management, a…
- Intelligent Home System (IHS, Smart Home System, Ambient Assisted Living System)
- A technology-enhanced living environment that uses sensors, actuators, and computing to monitor conditions and provide automated or voice-activated support for daily activities, particularly for older…
- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow's Hierarchy, Hierarchy of Needs)
- A motivational theory in psychology proposed by Abraham Maslow that organises human needs into a hierarchical pyramid, from basic physiological needs at the base through safety, social belonging, este…
- Memory Impairment (Memory Loss, Memory Deficit)
- A reduction in the ability to encode, store, or retrieve information, ranging from mild forgetfulness associated with normal ageing to severe deficits caused by conditions such as dementia or traumati…
- Multi-Layered Interface (ML Interface, Layered Interface, Training Wheels Interface)
- An interface design approach where novice users start with a reduced-functionality layer containing only basic features, then progress to more complex layers as they become comfortable. This technique…
- Multisensory Integration
- The neural and perceptual process by which the brain combines information from different sensory modalities — sight, hearing, touch, proprioception — into a unified percept. Integration relies on temp…
- Multisensory Stimulation (MSS)
- A therapeutic and design approach that intentionally coordinates multiple sensory modalities — visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and kinetic — to support affective well-being, cognitive engagement…
- Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss, Presbyacusis)
- A gradual, progressive loss of hearing in both ears that occurs as a natural part of aging, primarily affecting the ability to perceive higher-frequency sounds. Presbycusis is the most common cause of…
- Presbyopia (Age-Related Farsightedness)
- An age-related vision condition where the eye gradually loses its ability to focus on nearby objects, typically becoming noticeable in the early to mid-40s. Presbyopia affects virtually everyone as th…
- Residential Care (Care Home, Nursing Home, Long-Term Care Facility, Assisted Living)
- A facility that provides housing, personal care, and support services for individuals who cannot live independently due to age, disability, or health conditions. Residential care settings range from a…
- Social Isolation (Social Disconnection)
- The objective lack of social contact and relationships, distinct from loneliness (the subjective feeling of being alone). Social isolation is a significant accessibility concern because it can both re…
- Socio-Gerontechnology
- A theoretical framework, developed by Alexander Peine and Louis Neven, that analyses aging and technology as mutually constitutive: technologies do not simply serve pre-existing aging needs, and aging…
- Technophobia (Technology Anxiety, Computer Anxiety)
- An irrational fear or anxiety about using technology, often manifesting as avoidance of computers, smartphones, or websites. Technophobia can stem from negative past experiences, fear of making mistak…
- User Sensitive Inclusive Design (USID)
- A design methodology proposed as an alternative to User Centred Design for populations with highly diverse and dynamically changing needs, particularly older people. User Sensitive Inclusive Design re…
- Well-being Monitoring (Health Monitoring, Remote Health Monitoring, Ambient Assisted Living)
- The use of sensors, devices, and software systems to track and report on an individual's health and daily living indicators — such as mobility, sleep patterns, eating and drinking habits, personal hyg…