A new AGE-WELL poll conducted by Environics Research in July 2020 shows that two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadians aged 65 and older now own a smartphone, compared to 58 per cent in 2019, and most who own one (83 per cent) use it daily.
During the pandemic, seniors have increased their use of video calls as a way to communicate with family and friends. About a quarter (23 per cent) of Canadians 65+ now use video-calling on their smartphones, twice as many as in 2019; six in 10 of whom report increased use due to COVID-19.
When it comes to social media, so popular with a younger demographic, older adults are populating the platforms, too. Over one-third (37 per cent) say they use social media to communicate with family and friends (of whom four out of 10 report used it more as a mode of communication due to COVID-19). Compared to 2019, they are more present on YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook (which 68 per cent now use, up from 63 per cent in 2019).
And with many seniors staying at home more during COVID-19, two in 10 (19 per cent) of Canadians 65+ are using online shopping for essential items, like groceries, for "health, wellness and/or independence" (of whom six in 10 report using it more due to COVID-19).
The survey results show that 72 per cent of Canadians aged 65 and over feel confident using current technology.
"With these findings, we can set aside any notion that older adults are technophobic. Most are unfazed by technology and they are using a lot of it during these challenging times," says Dr. Andrew Sixsmith, scientific co-director of AGE-WELL, Canada's Technology and Aging Network. "We were already seeing older adults using more technology, but COVID-19 is clearly a catalyst that is taking tech use to a new level."
The new poll was carried out July 16 to 27 with more than 2,000 Canadians 50 years of age and older. AGE-WELL commissioned a similar survey in July 2019 of Canadians aged 50-64 and 65+.
Olive Bryanton, 83, of Hampshire, Prince Edward Island, can't imagine life in the time of COVID-19 without technology. "It has kept me sane, especially in the early part when we couldn't go out and family couldn't come to visit." She's been on Zoom "almost constantly" since COVID-19 began, participating in and presenting at virtual meetings and webinars, and connecting with family. She takes to Twitter and Facebook more often, and attended a wedding via livestream. "
I'm just so glad I'm able to use technology," says Dr. Bryanton, a member of AGE-WELL's Older Adult and Caregiver Advisory Committee.
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 health and about losing loved ones. Forty-six per cent are significantly or somewhat more concerned about moving to a nursing home, and 43 per cent feel that way about moving to a retirement home.
On the positive side, over two-thirds (66 per cent) 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 seven in 10 are willing to pay out-of-pocket for technology that allows them to stay at home as they age.
Among other key findings:
Technology Use
• 88 per cent of Canadians aged 65+ use the internet daily;
• 30 per cent of those 65+ are streaming; more than four in 10 (45 per cent) of them report increased online streaming due to COVID-19;
• 52 per cent of Canadians aged 50+ had a telehealth appointment in the past three months, and 79 per cent of those who had one were satisfied with it. Experience with video appointments is still limited (seven per cent);
• more than a quarter (29 per cent) of Canadians 65+ use social media for "health, wellness and/or independence" (of whom 42 per cent report used it more due to COVID-19);
• among those 65+, 68 per cent use Facebook (up from 63 per cent in 2019), 40 per cent use YouTube (up from 37 per cent), 19 per cent are on Instagram (up from 15 per cent), 18 per cent use Twitter (up from 16 per cent), and 16 per cent use WhatsApp (up from 11 per cent);
• 17 per cent of Canadians 65+ use video calls on a desktop or laptop; 56 per cent of whom report increased use due to COVID-19;
• 13 per cent of Canadians 65+ now use exercise or activity apps or trackers; one in five (19 per cent) of those have increased their use due to COVID-19;
• 13 per cent of those 65+ engage in online activities such as book clubs and games; 50 per cent of whom have ramped up these activities due to COVID-19;
• 11 per cent of Canadians aged 65+ use voice-assisted tech, e.g., Google Home; 18 per cent of whom are using this tech more due to COVID-19;
• seven per cent of those 65+ use food delivery apps; 45 per cent of whom have increased their use of these apps due to COVID-19.
Current Attitudes
• 48 per cent of Canadians over the age of 50 are optimistic about aging (compared to 56 per cent in 2019);
• 66 per cent of Canadians aged 50+ have felt isolated at least some of the time during COVID-19;
• half of respondents feel technology has had a positive impact on their lives during COVID-19 (45 per cent say neither positive nor negative);
• technology that "manages independence" is most popular, with more than 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.
"At a time when older adults face enormous challenges, it is encouraging to see that many are reaching for technologies, online services and apps to help," says Dr. Alex Mihailidis, AGE-WELL scientific co-director and CEO. "They are receptive to technology that allows them to stay in their own homes, and open to virtual health and virtual community with family and friends."
AGE-WELL teams are developing a wide range of technologies, services and policies/practices to help older Canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life. These include health apps, wearable therapies, smart-home systems and socially assistive robots.
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. "
