About 22 million seniors lack access to home broadband

About 22 million seniors lack access to home broadband, according to a report by the Older Adults Technology Services, Inc. (OATS) and the Humana Foundation. The organizations are launching a new effort to bring high-speed broadband to over a million older Americans by 2022 through the new Aging Connected initiative. The Aging Connected initiative will attempt to bridge the connectivity gap for older adults by articulating the value of broadband to seniors, prioritizing social equity and inclusion, expanding access to low-cost offers, and developing content and experiences for older adults to increase the use of broadband services.

“America’s older population is facing a public health crisis as the digital divide restricts their ability to stay healthy, meaningfully engaged, and financially secure amid the pandemic and beyond,” said Thomas Kamber, executive director of OATS. “This new research shows that America is failing to close the digital gap for older adults, who more than ever need the tools to be connected and engaged online.”

OATS is a social change organization that offers technology programs, community training, and strategic engagements to shape the future of aging. The Humana Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Humana Inc.

Links:

Report: Seniors Hit Hard by the Digital Divide (Telecompetitor, Jan 27, 2021)

Press release: Report: 22 million US seniors lack broadband Internet access; First Time Study Quantifies Digital Isolation of Older Americans as Pandemic Continues to Ravage Nation (OATS, Jan. 27, 2021)