As technology continues to assist patients in improving their health care experience, it is finding acceptance among senior citizens as well. According to a recent survey, by the research firm Accenture, 57% of patients aged 65 years and older are seeking digital tools to manage health.

As seniors become more tech savvy, they are seeking virtual physician consultation (42%) and self-service tools (62%) as their healthcare options. However, it was surprising to find that while physicians are looking for more ways to communicate with their patients through smartphones, tablets, mobile devices and the like, only one third of the providers are offering virtual healthcare management facilities to patients. The Accenture analysis further shows that at least 75% of Medicare recipients access the Internet at least once a day.  91% of those check their email at least once daily, 73% use it for online searches, while one-third of those use the internet to socialize on social media websites at least once a week.

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It was further revealed that 58% of the seniors want to communicate by email, but only 15% have the capability. Also, while 67% of seniors think access to their health information is important, only 28% are able to view their electronic health records. Another shocking finding was that less than half of the seniors fill prescriptions electronically, although 70% believed it was important.

As per an estimate by the US Census Bureau, 3.5 million US citizens a year are expected to reach 65 years and older until 2023 according to age calculations. The growing population of senior citizens is active on the internet and the time they spend online has increased three folds between 2000 and 2012. This signals an ever-growing market for US physicians which has not been tapped completely.

“Just as seniors are turning to the Internet for banking, shopping, entertainment, and communications, they also expect to handle certain aspects of their healthcare services online,” said Jill Dailey, managing director of payer strategy, Accenture Health. “What this means for providers and health plans is that they’ll need to expand their digital options if they want to attract older patients, and help them track and manage their care outside their doctor’s office.”

Mobile health care for seniors is a perfect tool as the population grows older and therefore, the need for medical attention increases. For seniors with conditions like diabetes, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), receiving treatment can be both inconvenient and complicated. Since the population is aging, these conditions make it difficult for them to independently live in their homes and in many cases, require them to live in assisted living where their vital signs and symptoms can be routinely checked.

This is where technology can play a huge part in improving the lives of not only average Americans but also senior citizens. It can make sure that they are administered care through advanced and simplified online solutions where they can be monitored by their providers easily. However, this will only be possible when physicians and providers start using their electronic health record systems in a way that benefits every age group of the population.