Fifty-three percent of American adults ages, 65 and older, use the internet or email. These results mark the first time that half of seniors are going online, and are significant because of slow previous growth. The study concluded that seniors have made the internet a regular part of their lives, and has become a daily fixture.
Cell phone ownership by seniors has jumped from 57% two years ago, up to 69% . These numbers are significant for this age bracket but pale in comparision to the younger demographic, such as 95% ownership by those ages 18 to 29.
Social media has taken off with seniors according to Pew Internet. Social networking among seniors has grown significantly. From April 2009 to May 2011, social networking among internet users ages 65 and older grew substantially. As of February 2012, one third (34%) of internet users ages 65 and older use social networking sites such as Facebook, and 18% do so on a typical day.
Email continues to be the highest trafficked online medium for seniors.
These internet trends are important to assisted living and continuing care residences.