Seniors are certainly less tech-savvy than younger generations who grew up with it. My parents are from the WWII generation, long before the personal computer existed, let alone the internet. Trying to help my aging mother with email is challenging. But just because some might not know how to use TikTok, what a non-fungible token is, or how to get the WiFi to work doesn’t mean they’re tech-averse.
Of course, it is more difficult for seniors to adapt to new technologies. Despite this, the majority of older people have a smartphone and frequently post on social media and video chat with their grandchildren.
Far too many digital health companies mistakenly assume that some older people initially struggle with new technologies and are completely averse to them. The problem is that digital health companies often fail to develop products with seniors in mind.
With the virtual health boom, a wave of innovations and new technologies are enabling seniors to age at home. Essentially, this explosion of consumer-centric digital health is about transforming healthcare from a patient who visits the healthcare system on a regular basis to a system where healthcare is in our pockets 24/7 on our terms .
For seniors who are less physically mobile and may not have transportation and companionship, this idea is even more important. Technology can bring great benefits to older people by making it convenient and safe to connect with healthcare professionals and follow virtual health plans from the comfort of their own homes. In fact, technology use among people aged 50 and older has skyrocketed during the pandemic, according to an AARP report. According to the Pew Research Center, older people have increasingly adopted technologies such as smartphones and tablets and used social media over the past decade. From a business standpoint, seniors make up a good chunk of the population, and Medicare spending of nearly $830 billion in 2020 accounts for 20% of total national healthcare spending.
The Evolving Definition of “Elderly People”
The definition of “old” isn’t what it used to be. The next generation of seniors will have spent much of their middle years using the internet, smartphones, tablets, and various software applications to better position themselves for the next iteration of high-tech gizmos and gadgets. Soon there will not be a generation unaccustomed to technology intertwined with daily activities.
Willy-nilly, retirement isn’t as certain as it used to be, with more and more people continuing to work after 65 — either because they have to or because they want to. According to a 2021 survey, nearly one in five seniors said they plan to work beyond age 70, and another 12% said they would work full-time for the rest of their lives. The image of a senior sitting in a rocking chair and drinking soda all day is no longer accurate, if it ever was. For those working into their golden years, many will continue to use new and relevant technology on a regular basis.
Seniors use technology that is helpful to them
Trying to get to grips with the latest technology can be overwhelming and frustrating for seniors. But then to jump to the conclusion that most old people dislike technology is just plain wrong.
Two years into the pandemic, older people, like everyone else, have also had to learn about virtual health technologies. With fewer in-person healthcare options coupled with the risk of COVID-19, older people with chronic health conditions, mobility issues, or other healthcare needs are increasingly willing to turn to virtual healthcare services and products so they don’t have to leave their homes. Aging at home is a trend that is expected to grow in the coming years, forcing digital healthcare companies to target the aging population.
Digital health for seniors needs to be simple and seamless
The need for digital health to improve the lives of seniors is there, and the willingness among seniors to embrace technology is growing. What is needed is that digital health companies embrace the moment by developing frictionless services and products. That means tricky sensors fail. In fact, ditch the hardware altogether. Forget asking a senior to mess around with sensors that require Bluetooth or WiFi. The user interface must be simple, simple, simple.
The products must not only make it as easy as possible for the elderly to use digital health services, but also take a human-centric approach to care. COVID-19 is not just a disease pandemic; it has also sparked a pandemic of isolation, particularly affecting older people. Digital health technology shouldn’t drive disconnect, it should inspire connectivity. With a click or tap, a senior should be able to communicate with a health coach, start a video call with a doctor, or follow an exercise program from their phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Building relationships and trust is important, as is having a virtual support team who can watch over the seniors and step in when needed.
Unfortunately, American culture doesn’t value its aging population as much as it could, leading to the negative stereotype that seniors are less capable, especially when it comes to technology. Yes, there’s a generation gap, but that doesn’t mean digital healthcare companies should treat seniors as irrelevant. The pandemic has highlighted the need for more digital health solutions for seniors, and research shows they are ready to adopt new technologies. Seniors earn just as much – if not more – than younger people in emerging digital health technologies.
Mark Luck Olson is CEO of RecoveryOne, a digital health innovator dedicated to improving the cost and quality of recovery from all types of musculoskeletal injuries (MSD). Olson has been in healthcare for 30 years and has worked closely with leadership teams in the healthcare services market to accelerate performance and revenue growth. He has built a reputation as a health tech strategist who can unleash an organization’s potential. He holds an MBA from the Sloan School of Business at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
