What We Heard

from over 6,000 older persons 50+ across four studies

• Older persons are engaged and increasingly comfortable with digital tools.
• However, they’re looking for better support for everyday functioning, independence, and brain health.
• Key barriers persist in usability, trust, accessibility, and perceived relevance of technologies.

 

To date, AgeTech Insights has released four reports:

• The Canadian 50+ Tech Market: Trends and Opportunities
• Designing Inclusive Innovation for the 50+ Market
• Supporting Brain Health During Menopause: The Role of Technology
• Dementia Prevention: Market Signals for Brain Healthy Lifestyles

Technology is already part of everyday life, but adoption gaps remain

Findings from: The Canadian 50+ Tech Market: Trends and Opportunities

For most Canadians 50+, technology is routine, not new

• Daily use of smartphones, tablets, and computers is nearly universal
• 60% say technology has made life easier
• Growing adoption of wearables (41%) and smart home tools (39%)
• Main driver of use is social connection (88%), ahead of convenience or entertainment 

Key takeaway: Design should prioritize co-design, ease of use, affordability, and trust

Technology use is high—but inclusion in design is low

Findings from: Designing Inclusive Innovation for the 50+ Market

Canadians 50+ are active digital users, but many do not feel reflected in the products they use

• Over 75% use technology daily for banking, connection, entertainment, or information
• Fewer than 1 in 3 feel technology is designed with them in mind
• Only 11% believe older persons are meaningfully included in design

Despite this gap, interest in involvement is strong:

1 in 2 older persons want to participate in testing + co-design of new technologies

Key takeaway: There is a clear opportunity to build more inclusive innovation practices, while also improving product-market fit and long-term scalability for innovators

The challenge of linking new knowledge to effective action

Findings from: Dementia Prevention: Market Signals for Brain Healthy Lifestyles

There is a growing market opportunity to support brain healthy behaviours

• Up to 45% of dementia cases may be preventable through brain healthy lifestyles
• An estimated two-thirds of adults now believe that dementia risk can be reduced through preventative actions in midlife – a major shift from earlier decades
• But only 17% feel strongly confident in their ability to put this knowledge into action

Older persons face distinct barriers

to each brain healthy behaviour choice

Key takeaway: Solution designs must address the distinct barriers related to dementia prevention practices