12 Reasons Why Elderly Struggle with Technology

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It is no secret that seniors are not as tech-savvy as the younger generations because they did not grow up with computers and smartphones.

Technology can bring many benefits and advantages for seniors who live independently enabling them to stay connected, entertained and updated.

But why do elderly struggle with technology? well, there are many reasons and barriers.

Here are the 12 most common reasons and barriers to technology adoption among older adults.

1. Technology Can be Overwhelming

The user interfaces of tech gadgets are not designed for the elderly so they can have a hard time with too much information on the screen.

User names and passwords can be hard to remember, menus and buttons can be overwhelming.

Information overload is one reason why the elderly struggle with technology because they are exposed to more information than their brain can process.

2. Readability Issues

Smartphone screens are too small for the elderly to read on them. The app icons, menu buttons, controls and keyboards are too small on smartphones.

Declines in vision and hearing with age make things worse for older adults as they have a hard time focusing and using screens.   

3. Lack of Familiarity with Modern Technology

One of the main reasons of elderly struggle with technology is a lack of familiarity with modern tech and gadgets.

Seniors were not born with computers and smartphones around them unlike children today. They were exposed to modern technology at a later stage of life when learning new things is not easy.

They feel more comfortable using a landline phone instead of a smartphone. TV is easier for them than browsing YouTube.

4. The Decline in Vision and Hearing

Vision and hearing impairments can be a normal part of aging for many people and it becomes hard for them to use technology that requires good eyesight.

It can be frustrating to look at the screen and that may lead to a reluctance to use technology altogether.

5. Cognitive Decline

As seniors age, they may suffer from cognitive decline affecting their memory skills and understanding of different things.

Dementia can make it harder to focus and learn new technology and remember what you learned.

6. Lack of Senior-Friendly Technology

Modern gadgets are designed by the young generation, for the young generation. Companies fail to design products with seniors in mind.

For older adults, the user interface has to be simple and minimal with easy-access menus. There are fewer gadgets for seniors and companies need to work on producing senior friendly technology.

7. Lack of Interest

One reason to avoid technology is that seniors think they do not need the latest technology and feel comfortable with their old habits and lifestyle.

They do not understand the benefits of technology in daily life activities like communication, health benefits and access to endless entertainment.

They feel it is okay to go to their bank and stand in queue for something that they could do through online banking in minutes.

8. Seniors Cannot Keep Up with Technology

The latest technology continues to enter our lives at a breakneck pace. Technology changes so fast that it is hard for the young generation to keep up with it.

From smartphones to tablets and from smartwatches to fitness bands, hundreds of new gadgets hit shelves each year.

While all new gadgets are exciting for the young generation, it is not possible for older adults to keep up with the latest developments.   

9. Privacy and Safety Concerns

Safety and privacy issues are major concerns for older adults when it comes to technology adoption.

Scammers target senior citizens more than other age groups because they have more savings and are less likely to spot a scammer.

Older adults lose billion of dollars in phone scams and online scams every year.

They prefer the hassle of going out for grocery shopping and paying bills instead of using bank cards for online purchases.

10. High Costs

According to the latest statistics, cost is the number one barriers to technology adoption among seniors.

High costs further affect seniors intention to use technology and result in low motivation to embrace technology among the elderly.

According to a recent study by the Nation Library of Medicine, nearly 70% of seniors considered cost as a deciding factor in technology adoption.

It is not easy for the elderly to spend hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to buy a new smartphone or tablet while they are already spending on the mortgage, health and possibly home care.

11. Lack of Guidance and Instructions

Seniors struggle with learning to use technology and cannot keep up with the learning curve that comes with new technological skills. Some older adults do not want to rely on others for help with technology.

Related Article: How to use a smartphone guide

Learning new technology requires guidance and patience. Family and friends, sometimes, may not have the patience or willingness to help.

Although there are many online resources for seniors to get help and instructions, most prefer physical classes to learn the basic skills.

12. Frustration in Learning

Seniors can get frustrated easily and think learning technology is beyond their reach. Frustration can cause seniors to lose confidence and motivation and they can become anxious.

Lack of patience is another reason why the elderly struggle with technology and learning in general.

These were the 12 most common barriers to technology use for older adults.

It is not all gloomy and doom if you look at the latest tech trends among seniors. The share of senior technology users (65 years and older) has grown rapidly in the past decade, as found by AARP’s 2024 Tech Trends survey.

The good news is that a study by NIH suggests that seniors are willing and eager to adopt new technology if they are provided with support and assistance.