However, we have yet to achieve widespread understanding that older adults also view technology as a basic need. This lack of awareness is leaving older people behind and reinforces the unfair bias that we can’t use technology as we get older. This misperception is perpetuated by the fact that only 5% of advertising images display people over 50 using technology, and in many of those instances, it is typically a younger person teaching an older person how to use a device.
Leaving older people behind when it comes to technology – both access to technology and including them in the development of new technology and applications – will lead to significant consequences.
Access to Technology is Critical for Older Adults
Let’s look at the data.
The U.S. Census recently reported that by 2029, we will have more people over 65 than under 18 for the first time in history, significantly increasing the demand for healthcare services, economic security and aging in place. And only 64% of adults over 65 in the U.S. have an active broadband connection in their home. The rest — some 22 million people — lack access to service and/or equipment. No wonder one in four U.S. adults over 65 don’t use the internet and at least 43% of Americans 60 and older report feeling lonely.
Additionally, U.S. News and World Report surveyed 1,500 adults aged 55 and older in April 2024 to see how attitudes and preparedness for aging in place have changed over the past year, and 95% of respondents said aging in place is an important goal for them. The survey also found that 47% of older adults feel safer while using assistive technologies, and 32% feel more mobile and independent because of assistive technologies. However, the percentage of older adults who feel their home is situated for aging in place declined from 59% in 2023 to 50% in 2024.
Next50 recognizes that the important role technology plays in our lives as we age will only continue to grow, and we must focus on making it accessible to all, including older adults who will soon represent the largest segment of our population in terms of age.
Technology Access for Older Adults is a Wise Investment
If we invest in ensuring we all have equal access to innovative technology now, we will create technology that improves how we age in the future. But it must be accessible and affordable for all older adults and the organizations that serve them. While it’s true that Apple offers in-store training, not everyone knows about it, can travel to a store to take advantage of it or can afford Apple products.
Investments must also encourage training and education in scam and fraud prevention. Older adults are disproportionately impacted by financial fraud carried out by technology. A 2023 report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation found that scams resulted in a loss of $3.4 billion dollars to adults over the age of 60.
There is not a singular solution to this challenge. We must approach this from a variety of angles: policy, research and development, marketing, human services, etc. Thankfully, some of our community non-profit organizations and our state government are making important efforts to meet these needs.
Organizations Work to Improve Technology Access for Older Adults
Sister Carmen Community Center (a recent Colorado Organizational Resiliency grant recipient in Lafayette) teaches older adults, primarily Latino immigrants, basic digital literacy skills. Senior Planet in Denver helps older adults learn new skills, save money, get in shape and make new friends.
Thanks to federal dollars, the State of Colorado recently finalized the Digital Access Plan that will guide how affordable broadband and digital devices as well as digital skill levels and cybersecurity practices help older adults, among other populations. Colorado’s State Attorney General has also committed to support fraud prevention with the creation of an anti-robocall litigation taskforce and a joint task force for financial security for older Coloradans.
In addition, Next50 provided seed funding and is partnering with the American Society on Aging to launch the On Aging Institute, which brings together organizations that value aging to collectively focus on age-inclusive approaches and build better solutions for a growing aging population and to connect the tech and aging services sectors to spur innovation and promote organizational sustainability.
As businesses, government and our community adopt and deploy new technologies, we should support these efforts to keep up with our needs. However, we should also expect and demand that we all have access to these new leading-edge resources. As with all human rights, technology shouldn’t be saved for the few.
