Not judging anyone’s age but as we get older the conductivity of our fingers decreases as they loose moisture.
Have a look at this:
AI has this to say about it:
Why Dry Fingers Cause Issues
Most modern touchscreens (on smartphones, tablets, etc.) are capacitive. They work by sensing the electrical conductivity of the human body.
• The touch is registered because the electrical field on the screen changes when a conductive object (like a fingertip) touches it.
• Moisture and oil in the skin are key to good electrical conductivity.
• As people age, the skin often becomes drier (a condition called xerosis) due to a decreased ability to retain moisture and reduced function of oil and sweat glands.
• Dry, less-moisturized skin can significantly reduce the finger's conductivity, causing the touchscreen to either not register the touch at all or respond intermittently and slowly. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "zombie finger."
Other Contributing Factors
While dry skin is a major issue, it often compounds other age-related challenges with touchscreens:
• Calluses: Thick or calloused skin on the fingertips can also impede electrical flow, similar to dry skin.
• Reduced Dexterity/Motor Control: Conditions like arthritis or general age-related slowness of movement can make it harder to accurately tap small icons or perform complex gestures like swiping and pinching.
• Visual Impairment: Decreased visual acuity makes it harder to target small buttons on the screen accurately.
• Lack of Tactile Feedback: The lack of a physical button click can make it confusing for users, especially when a touch isn't registered immediately due to dry skin.
Potential Solutions
For older adults who struggle with unresponsive touchscreens due to dry fingers, common suggestions include:
• Using a moisturizing cream on their hands and fingers.
• Using a stylus specifically designed for capacitive screens (which has a conductive tip).
• Using capacitive gloves (touchscreen gloves).