Internet health information beyond the reach of most elderly people

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 13 Jan 2005 - 14:00 PDT

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Internet health information is beyond the reach of most elderly people because they have never been online. According to a survey carried out by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a mere 32% of America's over 65s have ever experienced the internet.

As government bodies and medical associations try to make information for seniors more readily available online, many are wondering how the remaining 68% are being informed.

The study commented that it is important that the elderly take advantage of the wealth of information available online.

The study went on to say that the web sites that do exist should lay their information out clearly so that those seniors who are coming online are not put off.

Only 21% of US seniors have ever gone online to get health information, according to the survey which interviewed 1,450 people by telephone.

Apparently, seniors who are well off are more likely to be going online than those in the lower income brackets.

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