Technology and Ageing 2

A poll by AGE-WELL carried out July 16 to 27 with over 2,000 Canadians 50 years of age and older. The new survey also looks at the impact of COVID-19 on age-related concerns among older Canadians, who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. About half of respondents aged 50+ are now more concerned about the health and about losing loved ones. Forty-six percent are significantly or somewhat more concerned about moving to a nursing home, and 43% feel that way about moving to a retirement home.

On the positive side, over two-thirds (66%) of Canadians over 50 agree that technological advancements can help to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on daily life. The majority agree that technological advances can help them maintain relationships with family and friends, reduce social isolation, pursue hobbies, manage health, maintain mental health and stay safe, independent and active as they age.

The poll also found that half of Canadians aged 50+ are willing to pay out-of-pocket for technology that helps manage health and wellness. Almost 7 in 10 are willing to pay out-of-pocket for technology that allows them to stay at home as they age.

Another 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 is 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+ who 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 aging (compared to 56% in 2019);

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

·        Half of the 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.  View the Infographic with this information HERE.

·        Central to all of this is ensuring 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, we need to remember that some people are still losing out and there is a digital divide between the technology haves and have-nots. We need to make sure that technologies are accessible, affordable and available to all.