Technology, survey results

 According to a  survey commissioned by AGE-WELL, and done by Environics Research, conducted between July 16 and July 27, 2020, of 2,026 Canadians over the age of 50 older Canadians have upped their use of many technologies and online services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other key findings:

Technology Use

·       88% of Canadians aged 65+ use the Internet daily;

·       30% of those 65+ are streaming; over 4 in 10 (45%) of them report increased online streaming due to COVID-19;

·       52% of Canadians aged 50+ had a telehealth appointment in the past 3 months, and 79% of those who had one were satisfied with it. Experience with video appointments are still limited (7%);

·       Over a quarter (29%) of Canadians 65+ use social media for “health, wellness and/or independence” (of whom 42% report utilizing it more due to COVID-19);

·       Among those 65+, 68% use Facebook (up from 63% in 2019), 40% use YouTube (up from 37%), 19% are on Instagram (up from 15%), 18% use Twitter (up from 16%), and 16% use WhatsApp (up from 11%);

·       17% of Canadians 65+ use video calls on a desktop or laptop; 56% of whom report increased use due to COVID-19;

·       13% of Canadians 65+ now use exercise or activity apps or trackers; one in five (19%) of those have increased their use due to COVID-19;

·       13% of those 65+ engage in online activities such as book clubs and games; 50% of whom have ramped up these activities due to COVID-19;

·       11% of Canadians aged 65+ use voice-assisted tech, e.g., Google Home; 18% of whom are using this tech more due to COVID-19;

·       7% of those 65+ use food delivery apps; 45% of whom have increased their use of these apps due to COVID-19.

Current Attitudes

·       48% of Canadians over the age of 50 are optimistic about ageing (compared to 56% in 2019);

·       66% of Canadians, aged 50+ have felt isolated at least some of the time during COVID-19;

·       Half of respondents feel that technology has had a positive impact on their lives during COVID-19 (45% say neither positive nor negative);

Technology that “manages independence” is most popular, with over half of users of techs/services such as wearable digital devices, online shopping for essential items, exercise/activity trackers and webinars/online classes reporting a positive impact on their health and wellness.

To ensure seniors continue to use technology it is vital that new technologies are user-friendly and practical, including for people with disabilities. Connectivity is another challenge. “Despite the increasing use of technology by seniors, some people are still losing out and there is a digital divide between the technology haves and have-nots and that need to be addressed.