| Seniors are the segment of our population least likely | | | | Web Access Is Even More Important for an Aging |
| to take advantage of the benefits of the Internet. | | | | Population |
| While children are educated by interacting with | | | | Researchers at Florida State University go so far as |
| computers and the Web, older Americans are left | | | | to charge that leaving seniors behind as information |
| behind. | | | | sharing moves online, "threatens to turn senior citizens |
| More seniors have begun taking advantage of | | | | into second-class citizens." |
| computers, but a technological gap continues to | | | | Researchers Boot and Charness point out that, "The |
| separate many seniors from the mainstream way that | | | | technology gap is a problem because technology, |
| modern society disperses information. This separation | | | | particularly computer and Internet technology, is |
| impacts healthcare for seniors on several levels. | | | | becoming ubiquitous, and full participation in society |
| Younger adults are more likely to learn about changes | | | | becomes more difficult for those without such |
| in healthcare and health insurance online than seniors. If | | | | access." |
| older adults are limited to the information that is | | | | To help to prevent this, the Center for Research and |
| available in local newspapers and on TV, it's likely they | | | | Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement |
| have less of the information they need to make | | | | (CREATE) has received a $1.5 million, five-year |
| informed decisions about protecting their health. | | | | subcontract from the National Institute of Aging. Their |
| Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage Plans | | | | goal is to study how to use technology to promote |
| Seniors need to know about the research into | | | | senior cognition and health. |
| whether traditional Medicare, Medicare Supplement | | | | Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap Work |
| Insurance, or Medicare Advantage Insurance provides | | | | Better Online |
| the best health for senior populations. Many of these | | | | The whole process from learning about changes in |
| studies are only reported online. | | | | Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap to |
| In addition, these plans change as earlier plans are | | | | enrolling in a plan is easier, faster, and/or less |
| taken off the market, and new one are presented. | | | | expensive with Web access. For seniors who have |
| Seniors need access to new plan benefits and rates | | | | reduced mobility, or even just trouble standing in lines, |
| as they become available. For example, new plans | | | | the physical demands of gathering information, |
| with lower premiums will soon be available this | | | | completing forms, and making payments puts them at |
| summer. | | | | a disadvantage. |
| Without access to online independent information | | | | Web access through libraries, senior centers, and |
| sharing, seniors must rely on biased third parties to | | | | community college classes can help. Public libraries |
| learn about the choices that are available. Rather than | | | | offer not only free Web access (with time limits), but |
| comparing plan benefits and prices online, seniors | | | | also instruction to help seniors search for information |
| without Web access spend more time phoning agents, | | | | online. |
| and reading company literature that is intentionally | | | | In minutes, seniors can find expert advisors online and |
| biased. | | | | arrange free phone consultations to get help |
| Web access offers more perspectives. With greater | | | | comparing Medicare Supplement and Medicare |
| input, comes more choice, and a better chance of | | | | Advantage Plans. Most applications can be done online |
| finding the best health insurance option at the best | | | | quickly, or printed and later faxed or mailed. |
| price. | | | | |