A Deep Dive Into Seniors and Smartphone Usage

A women using her iphone.

Jan 19, 2022 | Industry Trends

Expanding Your Reach, Increasing Leads

We’ve come a long way from flip phones! In an age of social networking, video chatting with family members and internet connection that reaches far beyond simple home broadband, older Americans ages 65 and up are embracing technology more than ever before. 

In fact, did you know that when it comes to technology needs, 33.33% of seniors from the 70+ age group are using smartphones over any other type of device? According to our Seniors and Technology consumer survey, this is certainly the case, noting that 87.21% of seniors now own a smartphone. 

Older Adults and Mobile Devices

The Statistics

While we know that technology use among older adults living in the United States and beyond is rising, how exactly are these tech-savvy seniors using their smartphones? Some key findings from our survey showed:

  • The majority use their mobile phones for staying connected through phone calls, text messaging, browsing websites and searching for directions
  • 47% use their phone for social media access
  • 42% play games on their smartphone
  • Some use their smartphone for photos, emails or shopping
  • Facebook, Google and Amazon were the most commonly noted apps, followed by Google Maps and banking apps
  • Words with Friends was the only specific game app mentioned by respondents, being noted by about 12%

These statistics on seniors and smartphone usage show that older adults are becoming much more comfortable using mobile technology. 

Increasing Leads Through Smartphone Technology with SageAge

We know how seniors are using technology, where they are and what they prefer, but how do you reach them to increase leads, share your message and connect with seniors online?

SageAge is here to help with a range of services to put you at the forefront of their minds through effective digital strategies, social media presence and more. Check out a few of the services we provide.

Websites

Having an updated website is certainly crucial, but if you don’t have a mobile-optimized, smartphone-friendly website, it can be downright detrimental – aside from being frustrating for your prospects! 

Think about this: You are an older adult considering senior living for the first time. You do a quick Google search and click the first result that comes up. The website is small, not easy to read and awful to navigate, so you click off and onto the next one. There goes a missed opportunity to show your prospect just how perfect for them you are and potentially sending them to a competitor. That’s definitely not a good first impression. 

SageAge excels in creating intuitive website layouts designed with optimal functionality, making navigation and reading easier on those viewing your site on smartphones while helping you achieve your marketing goals through optimized website design.

Social Media

60% of older people are using their smartphones to connect with friends and family via social media, so it makes sense you’d want to reach them on those platforms. It’s important to note that only 18% of older adults follow companies on social media, which means getting your community out there efficiently and effectively is more important than ever. While it starts with being present on social media, it’s also crucial to be active on social media.

Whether we’re focusing on a social media campaign built around customized content to showcase your community, connecting with those who are engaging with your community or creating an advertising campaign designed to grow your audience and generate leads, we can make it easier to engage and communicate with potential prospects and leads, ensuring they know who you are and what you’re all about.

Integrated Digital Marketing and Local Business Listings

As part of our Integrated Digital Marketing services, SageAge’s search marketing program will increase lead production from your website through exposure. How? Paid search results, organic search results and updated local business listings through Google, Yahoo! and Bing. 

Why is this important? Not only do updated listings help keep prospects in the know about your offerings and how to get in touch with you, but it also ensures your address is on the map, should they ever need to find your community.

SageAge also offers digital media marketing services that include e-newsletters, email blasts, display advertising and more to further enhance knowledge about your community and services – which, considering many older adults are using their smartphones to connect to email services, can make you even more visible while offering another chance to connect. 

Are You Ready To Optimize Your Presence?

Whether you’re looking to make your website more mobile-friendly or are considering where you’d like to place ads so your prospects will see them where they are, we’re here to help. Let us elevate your web profile, generate more leads at a lower cost and move your prospects to action through our expert tactics and techniques.

Interested in learning more? We’d love to talk to you. For more information on seniors and digital technology, how to generate leads on a mobile platform or ways we can help propel you in the right direction, visit our website or contact us today. Or, to get an inside look at how we’ve helped one of our client-partners with their website presence, visit our blog!

Stay at the Forefront of Senior Technology Usage

As we further evaluate the results of our whitepaper and what the findings mean for the future, stay tuned for additional blogs that will highlight how to expand your reach, maximize your results and enhance your understanding of how changes in technology and usage will affect senior living – and how we can help. 

SageAge: Here for You, Always

At SageAge, our marketing team excels in helping senior living communities target prospective residents and gather essential information through surveys, focus groups and other tools that will generate qualified leads that will help you continue to grow and maintain your occupancy rates.

If you need assistance in any areas of marketing and integrated growth strategy to improve your business results, we invite you to contact us today to learn more about our proven strategies that have transformed other senior living communities like yours.

SageAge is a multiple award-winning strategic growth, marketing and consulting organization that operates exclusively in the unique senior living marketplace. For more information, please call or email Melinda Schmitz at 816.349.0464/[email protected]. You can also visit us on our website at www.sageage.com.

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