This my experience also. In Norway if you want to log in to your bank you need a friggin Java Applet. With all the security issues with the Java applet this year, maintaining the Java installation became really painful for my grandfather.

So I suggested Ubuntu with Unity, configured for automatic updating of software in background. I first gave him a new computer with a fresh installation, so he could try it for a few weeks first. Surprisingly it went very well (I usually have a few minor problems myself). He learned to use Unity within just a few minutes. He could use it with the Norwegian language(as he don't know english), and it worked great with increased DPI for less strain on his eyes.

Now it's been a few months, and he has not complained once! In fact, he tells me only good things about it! About how much faster it is, how much easier it is to read and how much easier it is to use the computer now.

While Unity is not a very useful desktop environment for myself, it is certainly great for people who mostly need easy access to a few applications.