The number of seniors who use the Internet is rapidly increasing. In a February 2004 survey, 22 percent of Americans age 65 or older reported having access to the Internet, up from 15 percent in 2000. That translates to about 8 million Americans age 65 or older who are online. Another survey shows that the portion of Americans 50 and older who regularly use the Internet is up to 47 percent, and the fastest growth in Internet use is in the over 55 age group.
Seniors are avid information seekers, and many seniors who are online use the Internet to find health information. Sixty-six percent of “wired” seniors have looked for health or medical information online, which represents a more than 25 percent increase since 2000 in the number of online seniors who have performed health searches. Seniors are particularly interested in information about specific diseases, treatments, or drugs, but they are also interested in Medicare and Medicaid information.
However, recent studies show that technology is a barrier for senior users. The major difficulties they face are:
- Lack of experience with computers. Many older citizens were probably not in the workforce when computers became standard at offices, schools, factories, and other work sites.
- Lack of first-hand or even second-hand experience of the Internet.
- Increased likelihood of vision problems or other disabilities. The Nielsen Group has found that standard Web sites are twice as difficult for seniors to use as they are for 18-55 year-olds.
References
- Older Americans and the Internet
(Pew Internet and American Life Project) - Internet Growth Driven by Senior Citizens (SeniorJournal.com)
- Internet Health Resources (Pew Internet and American Life Project)
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