AARP’s 2025 Tech Survey Shines a Light on the 80+ Age Segment

Kudos to AARP - life expectancy impacts tech adoption. For the first time in their published research, AARP’s 2025 report provides insights into the tech adoption and preferences of older adults aged 80+. With average life expectancy at 65 extending to an additional 20 years, this change reveals business opportunities to serve that age group, including tech-enabled services (like high speed Internet access), health-related devices and services, and most particularly training, as the survey reveals.  

Skepticism as well as adoption of the 80+ population.   While the survey indicates nearly half of all surveyed believe that tech is an enabler of a healthy life, only 39% of the 80% population agreed, despite the fact that 82% of the 80+ population suffers from at least one chronic disease.  And even among the 70-79 segment, belief (confidence?) dropped year over year. In addition, the oldest two age groups showed no interest in technology to maintain brain health – possibly due to lack of awareness about its efficacy.  

Smartphone and tablet adoption is now noted among the oldest. And the majority of the 80+ responder group believes that tech is an enabler to maintain social connections. Yet the majority of those responders take a wait-until-proven view of the newest technologies, for example, generative AI. And the 80+ responders are okay with being ‘among the last to try’. Only 45% of the oldest responder group believes they have the skills to take full advantage of being online. Not surprisingly, the oldest responder groups believe that technology was not designed with them in mind. 

Revealing this demographic shines a light on gaps and business opportunity.  This online survey could/should provide a nudge to those who design tech user interfaces, including TV remote control devices, smartphones, tablets, in-car screens, restaurant kiosks and much more. Do designers of any of these offerings intentionally include ANY individuals aged 80+ in new product or upgrade design? Any in testing? Any effort to look into difficulties with use, for example, smartphones?  Older adults who use a smartphone these days likely want to enable texting and on-screen interactions with families and friends -- and a smartphone delivers. For those who are unfamiliar, hopefully families and friends deliver guidance on how to use the devices. Perhaps after that, older adults can take a 7-day AARP email course to help boost smartphone confidence.