How Signs and Graphics Assist an Aging Generation

By Leah Edwards, FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

Carefully crafted signs and visual graphics for the aging population are no longer restricted to retirement homes and medical facilities. With improvements in healthcare and technology, this generation is incredibly active as they continue to participate in all facets of daily life.

Since eyesight still diminishes with age, signs for this demographic will be more effective when utilizing larger fonts, having color contrasts and minimizing visual clutter. A little forethought regarding visibility and clarity in signage can help ensure that an active aging generation can have great experiences everywhere they visit.

1. Signs for Wayfinding

Increasing visibility and providing easy wayfinding is important. Ideal signage includes large and readable fonts used in wayfinding signage including directories that are readily available to help with navigation.

2. Signs for Exercise

Seniors enjoy exploring various active outlets in this phase of life. From group fitness classes to meeting up with friends on the tennis courts, seniors need to be able to see, locate and navigate active spaces without asking a myriad of questions.

3. Signs for Spending

With time and money to spend, this demographic is active around town. From errands to brunch, businesses need to be mindful of this segment of the population, increasing visibility outside with site and monument signs, window graphics and banners, and also enhancing findability with wayfinding signs. By making signs easy-to-read, restaurants with easy-to-order access and retail establishments will be easy to navigate. Because of this, business owners can ensure better overall experiences and future, repeat customers.

4. Signs for Home

Choosing where to live and enjoy a thriving senior lifestyle is important. With signage, you can inform seniors about amenities and activities, while conveying a consistent and clear message to residents and visitors alike. Visibility of brand and readability of signage provides seniors with an easy-to-navigate living space.

5. Signs for Events

Incorporating a variety of sign types into a space can make a community event or experience more positive for this demographic. From digital signage to ground graphics, these innovative signs help, inform and inspire. Wayfinding signage is imperative for avoiding that feeling of being lost. Signage for education, upcoming events, or history of an organization can be informational and appreciated by an aging generation.

6. Signs for Donors

Many active seniors volunteer and are involved with charities, alumni associations or other community groups because they enjoy giving back. By incorporating donor signage and memorable sign pieces, you can thank them and honor their contributions. By making these installments easy to read with interesting, branded creative elements in them, people may be encouraged to take photos and share on social media to increase visibility online.

Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” For active seniors, creating ideal signs are an integral piece of creating this beautiful life for them. Without proper signage, business owners and organizations can miss opportunities to inform, sell and connect with them. An aging population deserves to have incredible experiences in all places, and signs and graphics help accomplish this.