Digital Health Care Popularity Rising Among Older Adults

The majority of older adults see digital health technologies as instrumental in helping them age comfortably, according to a new U.S. News & World Report survey.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. adults over the age of 55, found that 93% said it was important for them to age in place, meaning the ability to remain independent and comfortable in the home and community. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of people age 65 and older in the United States has grown from 35 million in 2000 to approximately 55 million in 2020. 

As the U.S. (and the rest of the world) sees an increasingly aging population, the survey’s findings demonstrate the important role health care technologies will play in supporting people as they age, and demonstrate the fact that older generations will use these technologies. 

The most medical devices identified as making it “easiest to age in place” included medical alert systems, mobile apps and wearable health care trackers. Respondents also said they were more likely to choose medical devices if they had certain features, such as being wireless, voice-activated, discreet and accessible via a mobile app. 

“It’s clear that older people generally have a strong desire to age in place, or live in their homes for as long as possible,” the study authors said. “As they experience the changes and challenges that come with aging, they are willing to adopt new assistive or health-related technologies, like medical alert systems and wearable health trackers, in an effort to extend their time in their homes.”

In addition, nearly half of the respondents (49%) said general aging is their primary reason for using health care technologies, while mobility impairments and hearing impairments were the second and third most common reasons, (28% and 22% respectively).

Among the reasons for not using these technologies, the most common answers were that respondents did not yet need the technology (47%), can’t afford the technologies (16%), or did not want to lose their independence (14%).