Stuck in the Middle: Healthcare Solutions for Older Adults Shouldn’t Be One Size Fits All. Here's Why.

The range of our research captures insights from people aging into, through, and out of the Middlers demographic. Out of this work, a pattern has emerged. Healthcare innovation and solutions routinely put everyone above the age of 65+ in the same bucket. When the needs and desires of 60 year olds are lumped together with those who are 90 and above (how many times have you seen discounts focused on those 65+?), Middlers end up lacking healthcare solutions tailored to the reality of their day-to-day living. 

While nearly 100% of Middlers list staying healthy as a primary focus, they often feel misrepresented by healthcare solutions and advertisements that evoke an outdated vision of what it means to grow older. In fact, nearly half (44%) aged 60-79 agree with the sentiment: “I do not identify with ads targeted at older adults” and nearly one quarter (24%) agree that they “feel more connected to brands and advertising geared towards younger generations.” This indicates a significant gap in the solutions being built and marketed towards this demographic. Additionally, 78% of Middlers we surveyed also indicated that they “enjoy learning new things or technologies” — a stereotype that is not typically associated with the broad brush strokes of the general older adult population.

The Middlers are a group of people who value independence, are focused on living life to the fullest, and notice when companies assume otherwise. While their lives and health needs might be changing, their worlds are continuing to expand. These life-long learners are more than capable of enjoying the aid of digital healthcare solutions. Middlers need a suite of healthcare solutions that recognizes and capitalizes on their strong points. More than that, they deserve to be as proactively engaged in their healthcare as they are in every other area of their lives. 

We believe there’s extensive opportunity to build comprehensive healthcare solutions at scale for Middlers. That process starts with getting on the same page about what Middlers need and expect from their healthcare solutions.

Middlers value independence and personal fulfillment: healthcare solutions need to deliver both. 

Middlers needs are unique. Health solutions are top-of-mind for this group and must be redesigned to fit their reality better. As mentioned above, nearly half (44%) agree with the sentiment: “I do not identify with ads targeted at older adults.”  Our research paints a clear portrait of an aging generation focused on finding fulfillment and purpose. In fact, this is a group that is eager to invest in themselves during what one survey respondent called “the age of me.” 

Over one-third (34%) of the Middlers surveyed said enjoying free time is their life priority, frequently referred to as “taking time for me.” They continue to find and follow new purposes, enjoy favorite activities, and remain eager to learn more about their health and the world at large. The notion that retirement is a time to ‘slow down’ is not the reality of what is happening with this population.

While 68% rely on physical activity to stimulate the mind, many others enjoy exercising via mental engagement: 73% of those surveyed indicated that they keep their mind stimulated by reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles (etc.). Also of note: Middlers don’t shy from engaging with digital media as a way of learning and connecting with others, rather it’s already integrated into their lives — sometimes quite significantly! As one respondent noted, “I go to bed with my cell phone and I wake up with my cell phone.”

Health is also on the mind of many in this age range – nearly 100% of older adults listed staying healthy as a primary focus. Taking care of and investing in oneself clearly entails paying close attention to day-to-day wellbeing. However, their healthcare must work with their lifestyles: after years of living “scheduled” lives, older adults are grateful for the ownership that they now have over their own schedules, and therefore many prefer to keep their schedules flexible. A sense of independence and autonomy within the healthcare ecosystem is also critically important – 97% of respondents agreed with this statement: “I want to be the one who makes decisions about getting the help and care I need” and 43% stated they valued independence. 

Middlers need healthcare services that capitalize on their autonomous, active lifestyles. With the value they place on independence and mental engagement (78% indicated that they enjoy learning new things), combined with their capacity for digital engagement, a digital health ecosystem provides a flexible way for Middlers to engage with their health on their own time and on their own terms. By allowing them to seamlessly integrate healthcare-related activities that positively impact their mental and physical wellbeing into their “me time,” tech-enabled solutions might aid Middlers in warding off subpar health outcomes into their 80s and beyond.

For Middlers, technology shouldn’t be viewed as a barrier, but rather as a tool to improve healthcare. 

It’s not tech-enabled solutions that Middlers take issue with, since many use them every day; it's the barriers to entry that make these solutions challenging to adopt. There are accessibility issues, high expenses, and substantial learning curves associated with using new technology solutions. On the other hand, digital solutions that are easy to use, affordable, and include tutorials (virtual or in-person), can enable Middlers’ independent, tech-enabled way of living while at the same time providing access to care-at-home. 

Middlers are actually quite comfortable using technology in everyday life. In fact, 75% regularly shop online, 85% do their banking online, and 30% order food or groceries for pick up or delivery at least several times a month. Alongside its utility status, the internet is yet another avenue for the intellectual fulfillment that Middlers constantly seek: 56% write or read blogs, reviews, ratings, or comments online. 

Middlers don’t just enjoy their favorite activities in an online format—many of them are actively interested in using technologically-enabled solutions, where 78% say that they “enjoy learning new things or technologies.” While they might not self-identify as tech-savvy, technology is firmly embedded in their lives: 80% of survey respondents use more than three digital devices (i.e., smartphones, e-readers, Amazon Echo, etc.) on a daily or weekly basis.

One survey respondent shared: 

“I am at age 65, and as a younger senior, things are easier for me regarding technology than the later generations. I have used technology for many, many years. I am comfortable with it.”

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still a few barriers holding older adults back from utilizing new tech-enabled solutions. Only 18% prefer learning about new technology virtually or online. When asked what companies could do to help them use new technologies, responses could fall into the following themes:

• Ease of use:“Just make things easy to read, understand, and follow.”

• Video/Virtual Help: “Conduct 1-on-1 virtual sessions with each person instead of in a virtual classroom.”

• Lower Cost:“Make it more affordable.”

With 33% of respondents already having used virtual healthcare or telehealth services, many older adults could benefit from the simultaneous engagement in online communities and mental stimulation offered by digital health solutions.  

Community, digital or otherwise, is key for Middlers.

Older adults are looking for ways to meet new people, sustain previous friendships, and feel connected to their communities. A recent study proves that community is a crucial social determinant of health, revealing that a lower sense of community belonging is associated with poorer general and mental health. Solution-builders should increasingly look to deliver a hybrid care experience that can fulfill both older adults’ desire to feel a sense of community and act as independent facilitators of their health. 

While Middlers lovingly refer to this period in life as “the age of me,” that doesn’t mean they plan to experience it alone. A significant component of “staying busy” for this group is social connection. Across our research, 67% of respondents agreed that “feeling a sense of belonging and like you’re part of a community” is important and 76% said it’s “important for them to find new ways to engage with existing family/friends/community.”

One way Middlers socialize is through social media: 80% use social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 51% of respondents indicated that they use these sites daily. While on social media, older adults aren’t just browsing the content or following other people’s posts—they’re actively engaged. 43% comment on others’ posts, and 30% share their lives on social media with friends and family. 

Additionally, Middlers associate their community (and technology) with greater learning opportunities. Middlers routinely look to their peers to discover new interests and are excited to learn by reading their peers’ comments and questions online. They appreciate being able to see the number of members who have taken a class, joined a forum page, or rated an instructor 10/10.  36% of individuals responded that learning from friends or family is the most preferred way of learning. One finding that’s in line with Middlers' embrace of an independent attitude, but may come as a surprise given the common perception that older people always need in-person assistance when learning new technologies: our research revealed that Middler’s second most preferred way of learning (25%) is figuring things out by themselves.

With a strong appetite for community bonding and learning, Middlers would benefit from healthcare solutions that take a hybrid approach to care delivery. An ideal approach is one that combines technology, the mobile and in-home capabilities of which are suited for Middlers’ preference for flexible scheduling, with the human touch and discretion of in-person care providers who can empathetically and effectively address their health concerns and needs.  

In designing healthcare solutions for this population, it’s important for innovators to meet them where they are — and while they regularly use technology to connect with friends and loved ones, they still prefer to learn in person. By combining the ease of a digital app with the socialization of in-person care providers or group treatments, innovators can ensure Middlers are able to maintain both their independence and desire for a supportive community. 

Health-tech can promote healthier aging by meeting Middlers where they’re at and designing solutions that address their needs and interests. 

A notable 41% of older adults disagree with the statement “My best days are behind me.” 

Overwhelmingly, we found that Middlers desire to remain independent while engaging with community, technology, and life-fulfilling learning opportunities. They have the desire and capability to integrate healthcare into their lives while they’re making the most out of them. Health solutions’ designs should reflect that reality.

There’s an urgent need to tailor more of our healthcare solutions for use by Middlers in order to increase the adoption of impactful solutions now. In doing so, it’s equally important that we recognize the role improving access to these solutions, and life-changing technology at large, will play in redesigning health amongst the Middler population. Early intervention can result in lasting benefits that positively impact so many different stakeholders within the healthcare ecosystem, including caregivers and family members. 

For inspiration, three Operating Companies —all built at Redesign Health — present a digitally-inclusive path toward better health outcomes for older adults: