A majority of French people want to invest in digital services for seniors
Key figures: the French and the Silver economy
- 30% arecurrently equipped with a communication service (connected TV, tablet with simplified interface, etc.).
- Only 6%of French people currently use remote surveillance, but 61%would like to do so in the coming years.
- 65% citethe ability to report a problem as the main benefit of these connected services
Nearly a third of the French population now equipped with a connected communications service
Usage rates are still low when it comes to connected services dedicated to seniors: only 6% of French people say that they or their loved ones are equipped with a remote monitoring service, and 5% with personalized autonomy assistance.
The only tools that the French are currently integrating into devices to help the elderly are connected televisions or tablets (30%).
They are not entirely dedicated to assistance or diagnosis, but demonstrate that digital technology is already helping seniors in their daily lives: common, easy-to-use technological objects are already adapted to some of their specific needs. The “Silver economy” is thus becoming a market with strong growth potential and the creation of new applications1.
1To meet these ambitions, last September Syntec Numérique set up a working group dedicated to the themes of “Autonomy, ICT and ageing”, confirming the growing interest of digital companies in the existence of a specific sector and its development.
Digital technology for health, comfort and quality of life
65% of those questioned rank the ability to report a problem as the number one advantage of these connected services, as it represents a guarantee of rapid assistance in the event of a problem.
The use of new technologies is also a reassurance factor for seniors and their loved ones in 56% of cases, as well as a means of bringing them comfort and improving their daily lives.
“To create the conditions for seniors and their families to adopt these connected services, we need to involve all stakeholders. Users, of course: equipping the elderly is a way of acculturating this population to digital technology, which they have traditionally been excluded from. Secondly, our industry: it’s clear that this new market represents a major growth opportunity as the age pyramid reverses.
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Taking into account the specific needs of seniors to offer simplified interfaces must be at the top of our roadmap. Finally, the medical system must play its full role as a prescriber for the elderly, encouraging them to use connected services. There are few subjects that combine business and social utility: helping the elderly to gain in autonomy and comfort thanks to digital technology is one of them. “comments Bruno Vanryb.
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