Older adults can face barriers to using technology, but the pandemic has pushed many to harness it for their health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in the use of digital health care, including among older adults. This increase in technology use among older Americans is not entirely unexpected. While this generation is adopting technology at slower rates than the rest of the population, research shows they're still more digitally connected than ever. Moreover, seniors are yearning to use more technology in all aspects of their lives, especially in health care. A recent study from CVS Health found that nearly half (45%) of all respondents 65 and older reported that they'd be more likely to communicate with health care professionals if they were able to do so through digital messaging.
How to Overcome Barriers
While there's no doubt that technology is a convenient and beneficial tool for many, it can be confusing and difficult to navigate for others. Seniors face unique barriers to using and adopting technology, with a Pew Research Center study finding that some 34% of older people who use the internet have little to no confidence in being able to use electronic devices to perform tasks online. Nearly half of seniors responded that when they receive new electronic devices, they typically need someone else to set it up or show them how to use it.
The issue is not that seniors are technology-averse. They may just need more support than so-called digital natives. Luckily, there are resources available to help seniors overcome barriers to technology, incorporate it more easily in their day-to-day lives and use it as a tool on their overall health journeys.
For example, seniors can seek help from organizations like The Oasis Institute, an educational nonprofit that offers classes, programs and resources that instruct older adults on using technology. Oasis offers a wide range of courses at all different levels of technology comfort, from "Introduction to Computers" to "Blogging with WordPress."
Additionally, we at Aetna have developed a "Putting the 'Me' in Medicare" eBook with a chapter dedicated to helping seniors use technology. This includes a Q&A with tips on how to best use technology to help boost your total health, a piece on what telehealth is and why it's important, and instructions for seniors on how they can join or set up their own Zoom calls.
Use Technology in the Way That Suits You Best
Technology can be a useful tool for seniors in their daily lives and in achieving their best overall health. Regardless of comfort level, there are tools and resources that can help the seniors in your life. We encourage you or a loved one to seek out help in the way that best suits you.
In a time when physical distancing is necessary for health, technology can be a real lifeline.
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