Comparison of Generation Differences in Problems of Major Electric Appliances with a View towards an Aged Society

Abstract

As the first step in researching desirable images of household electric appliances in an aged society, this article deals with generation differences that exist. The data on the present senior citizens (65 years and above) were compared with those of the following generation (50-64 and less than 50 years of age). In 1998-2000 requirements as well as complaints of the three generations regarding their household electric appliances were investigated by means of questionnaire, interview and other methods. Their answers and opinions concerning function, operation, and construction as well as the labelled instructions and marks of various appliances are evaluated differently by the three generations. The difference was evident between the most senior category and the youngest category. The older generation takes a passive attitude toward a modern life dependent on electric appliances, while the younger generations show positive acceptance of the modern life; they are not hesitant to use multi-function appliances and foreign language seems part of their life.
Those in the younger category are expected to continue to use the modern appliances, but they will get old. Considerations, therefore, should be given in designing new appliances, adequate height of products, easy-to-see switches and marks for aging physical conditions. It should be pointed out that the problems common to the three categories need to be solved as soon as possible. It is expected that multi-functional appliances will be further improved and easier to use by all generations in the future.