Elderly don’t use the internet, or do they?

Seniors are online and thriving

The stereotype of the tech-shy senior is outdated. In the U.S., nearly 90% of adults aged 65+ use the internet (Pew Research, 2024), and in New Zealand, 90% of those aged 65–74 are regular users (MSD, 2022). Globally, older adults are embracing digital life, because it’s convenient, necessary, and often safer.

From online banking to ordering groceries, seniors are adapting fast. For those with mobility challenges or health concerns, digital services offer a way to stay independent and avoid unnecessary trips.

What are they doing online?

Older adults are actively:

• Searching for health info – 1 in 3 Americans aged 75+ looked up health information online in the past year (NIH, 2023).
• Shopping online – 75% of Baby Boomers shop online monthly, and seniors aged 65+ made over 35 million online purchases in 2023 (Statista, 2024).
• Using telehealth – Telehealth visits among Medicare recipients increased 63x during the pandemic and remain high (CMS, 2023).
• Staying connected – 73% of seniors use social media, and 61% go online daily (Pew, 2024).

Your pharmacy website can be a trusted source for health info, product ordering, and service bookings - meeting seniors where they already are.

They’re your biggest customer group

Think about who visits your pharmacy most often. Chances are, it’s not 20-year-olds - it’s people closer to 70 or 80. Seniors need more medications, more advice, and more support. And they’re online. If you’re not meeting them there, you’re missing a huge opportunity.

It’s only going to grow

By 2030, one in five people will be 65+ (WHO, 2023). And today’s 55-year-olds, who are already tech-savvy, will be tomorrow’s seniors. The digital habits they’ve built won’t disappear. Your future customers will expect online options.

Why a website matters for older customers

For older people, getting to the pharmacy isn’t always easy. Many face mobility challenges, chronic health conditions, or are immunocompromised and prefer to avoid crowded spaces. A website gives them a safer, more convenient way to access your pharmacy. It allows them to find trusted health information, order products, and manage prescriptions from home - without needing to travel, wait in line, or make phone calls. Even a simple website shows your pharmacy is accessible, supportive, and ready to meet their needs with confidence and care.

So what now?

It’s time to get your pharmacy online. Whether it’s a simple website, an online store, or a health FAQ page, make it easy for seniors to find you, learn from you, and shop with you. Storbie makes it simple and your customers will thank you.