Duncan Legal, PC | Education Series
If the old image of seniors avoiding technology still lives in your mind, it’s time to update that picture. Today’s older adults are embracing digital health tools—often with surprising confidence and enthusiasm. From prescription-management apps and secure messaging portals to virtual doctor visits and online lab access, seniors are proving every day that technology is a powerful tool for maintaining independence and staying connected to care.
Recent national data shows that more than eight out of ten Medicare beneficiaries used a healthcare website or app within the last year, and the majority reported that these tools made navigating the healthcare system easier. Even more striking: usage among older adults now closely mirrors that of people decades younger.
At Duncan Legal, PC, we see firsthand how resourceful and resilient seniors are. Whether motivated by necessity, convenience, or a desire to stay informed and in control, older adults are leaning into technology to support their health and wellbeing.
How Seniors Are Using Digital Tools to Manage Their Care
Many older adults are now using apps and online tools to:
- Review test results and medical information instantly
- Communicate with physicians through secure messaging
- Track medications and refill prescriptions
- Manage multiple specialists and appointments
- Monitor chronic conditions
Nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries have expressed a desire for healthcare systems to expand support for these tools and improve the ability to share information among providers. Far from resisting technology, many seniors are asking for more of it—as long as it is designed to be clear, safe, and supportive.
But Access Isn’t Equal for Everyone
While digital adoption is increasing, not all older adults have the same access or comfort level. Those with strong internet, higher income, or family support are far more likely to use digital healthcare than those in rural areas or living on limited resources. For families trying to support aging loved ones, this digital divide can become one more barrier in already complicated care decisions.
Other factors play a role as well:
- Only around 30% of Medicare beneficiaries used video-based telehealth last year
- Just 23% used apps specifically to manage chronic illness
- Only about one-third say they trust AI-driven medical tools
Privacy worries, cognitive challenges, and a preference for human connection all help explain the hesitation. These are real concerns—and worth honoring.
What Does Digital Healthcare Have to Do With Estate & Elder Law Planning?
More than you might think.
As healthcare becomes increasingly digital, the ability to access online medical records, communicate electronically with providers, and manage care remotely has become essential. But without proper legal authorization, family members may be blocked from accessing accounts or advocating during emergencies.
At Duncan Legal, PC, we believe that preparing for how healthcare is delivered today is an essential part of protecting independence, safety, and dignity.
Key Questions Every Family Should Ask
- Who can access your patient portal or health app if you’re hospitalized?
- Who can communicate online with your doctors if you cannot speak for yourself?
- Does your Health Care Power of Attorney specifically allow digital access?
- Does your HIPAA authorization include telehealth and electronic communication?
- Who can manage your online accounts if you become incapacitated?
If the answers aren’t clearly defined in your documents, your loved ones may face delays and roadblocks when time matters most.
Adding explicit digital access and telehealth authority to estate planning documents can:
- Prevent unnecessary stress and confusion
- Support efficient medical coordination
- Ensure your wishes are honored without conflict or delay
The Bottom Line
Today’s Medicare beneficiaries are not resisting technology—they are adapting to it with determination, practicality, and resilience. Digital healthcare will continue to expand, not replace hands-on medical care, and it has the potential to make an overwhelming system more manageable.
If your estate plan or healthcare decision-making documents were created before the rise of patient portals, online medical records, or telehealth, 2025 is an ideal time to review and update them.
At Duncan Legal, PC, we believe planning is about protecting the people you love and preserving peace of mind—so families can focus on what matters instead of navigating avoidable barriers.
