Older Adults, Broadband and COVID-19

While COVID-19 has highlighted the deficiencies in broadband availability in the homes of our school-age kids around the country, the absence of a broadband connection for our older adults is equally concerning. Lack of internet access sets the stage for growing isolation and harm to our seniors across the country. Although broadband adoption has increased among those 65 and older in recent years, there is still a significant gap. A 2017 Pew Research revealed that over half of those 65+ have a broadband connection at home, and about 67 percent use the internet. While we can assume that these numbers have increased slightly, indications are that there is still a considerable gap in access and adoption among seniors. The fight against COVID-19 most definitely takes a global village. Now, more than ever, we need more focus on our older community, with programs and assistance to make sure they have access to affordable high-speed broadband. We can’t afford to leave anyone behind – or unconnected.

[Debra Berlyn is the president of Consumer Policy Solutions and is executive director of the Project to Get Older Adults onLine (Project GOAL).