Did you know that only a small percentage of adults over 65 years old have used QR codes? According to a 2021 survey conducted by YouGov America, a staggering 18% of seniors in this age group have never had the opportunity to experience QR codes at all! Even among those who are aware of QR codes, less than one third have used them and a shocking 20% find them difficult to use.
So, what are some reasons behind this low adoption rate?
All in all, while the use of QR codes among seniors may be currently low, it’s possible that we may see broader adoption in the future as technology continues to evolve and become more accessible!
The Understanding of QR codes among Seniors
QR codes have become ubiquitous in the modern era, with industries and businesses hopping on board with this technology by using them to share information and content with their customers. The question that arises is how much do seniors understand about QR codes? According to a recent survey conducted by YouGov America in 2021, 18% of adults over 65 (65 or older) have never had the opportunity to experience QR codes. In contrast, over 80% are familiar with QR codes, and roughly a third of the seniors who have heard of QR codes but have not used them yet. This data indicates that seniors’ understanding of QR codes is quite limited, with a significant proportion of older adults yet to experience this technology.
The Experience of Older Adults with QR Codes
While the survey results indicate that a considerable number of seniors lack exposure to QR codes, less than one-third of them have used them. This figure suggests that although seniors may have heard about QR codes, they do not use them to their fullest potential. Among the seniors who have used QR codes, many have done so only for specific purposes, such as scanning QR codes to download and install applications or to access websites. The lack of use of QR codes among seniors is puzzling, given that this technology can improve the lives of older adults in several ways.
Adoption Rate of QR Codes among the Elderly
According to YouGov America’s survey, only 33% of seniors have used QR codes, while the other two-thirds of respondents have not. For seniors who have used them, they do so relatively infrequently. The adoption rate of QR codes among the elderly is low for various reasons. First, many seniors do not own smartphones, which are essential for scanning QR codes. Even among those who do, they may not have the latest software or knowledge to utilize QR codes fully. Therefore, the adoption rate of QR codes among the elderly still has a long way to go.
Challenges Faced by Seniors in Using QR Codes
One of the most significant challenges faced by seniors in using QR codes is technology illiteracy. Most of the essential demographic group often lacks technical knowledge and familiarity with smartphones and other advanced technologies. This lack of familiarity leads to a high level of knowledge deficit about these codes. Additionally, seniors’ physical limitations, such as vision or mobility impairments, affect their proficiency in using QR codes. Furthermore, their lack of confidence in their ability to use the technology, coupled with the potential risks of online fraud and scams, is another significant challenge faced by seniors.
Benefits of Using QR Codes for Senior Citizens
QR codes offer numerous benefits to seniors that can vastly improve their daily lives. For instance, seniors can use QR codes to access information faster, eliminating the need to read through pages of written text. QR codes can also provide valuable information, such as medication dosage or nutritional information, for those with medical conditions. Additionally, seniors can use QR codes to reduce exposure to germs, minimizing touchpoints by paying electronically without using cash or a credit card.
Some additional benefits of using QR codes for seniors include:
- Convenient bookings for appointments, travel and dining reservations
- Virtual tours of museums or attractions
- Easy access to history and news about places or products
- Quick access to coupons and offers
Enhancing QR Code Usage among the Elderly
To enhance QR code usage among seniors, designers must consider some factors, including legibility, scannability, and user-friendliness. They should opt for larger QR codes with larger grids and less data on them. Additionally, designers can include an audio clip explaining the code’s purpose and how to use it. This strategy helps to cater to seniors’ limitations, translating the technology to user-friendly components. Furthermore, creating campaigns to educate seniors on QR codes and their benefits and sponsoring community-based workshops or digital literacy programs can increase awareness, adoption and enhance senior citizens’ skills in using QR codes.
As evidenced by YouGov America’s survey, seniors lack adequate exposure, understanding, and adoption of QR codes despite their tremendous potential in improving older adults’ daily lives. To bridge the gap and improve usage, designers and developers of QR codes must tailor this technology to meet the specific needs of seniors, provide education and raise awareness of the benefits, and design accessible and user-friendly QR codes. By doing this, we can ensure seniors can benefit from this technology, too.
