45% of over 65s are using tech more than ever since the pandemic

Research by Hodge found 65% of over 50s are using technology more than they ever have, with almost half feeing they’re a lot more confident with their IT skills since the pandemic.

A new survey commissioned by Hodge shows the nation’s over 50s adapted well to digital get togethers when lockdown restrictions deprived them of face-to-face meet-ups. While those aged 65 and over also embraced technology to chat to family and friends.

More than half (53% of over 50s used virtual platforms like Zoom, Teams and Google Meetups to keep in touch with loved ones, with 29% still using them a few times a week to keep connected – and one in ten still using these every day. Nearly a quarter (24%) of over 65s used these digital meet up technology a few times a week, with 4% using them every day.

Keeping in touch with family and friends was the main reason for those over 50 to to log on (83%) followed by work (26%). However, despite little previous experience, Hodge’s research also found 44% felt comfortable immediately or within one meeting, even though 65% had never used the likes of Zoom and Teams before the pandemic.

And it seems that the necessity of having to use digital communication platforms to socialise has helped some take up tech, as nearly two thirds (58%) of those aged 65 and over say they now use technology more as a result of the pandemic.

Hodge commissioned the research to find out more about how the over 50s feel about their finances, family and lifestyles now, compared to pre-pandemic. It questioned more than 700 people over the age of 50, consisting of 200 Hodge customers and a further 500 consumers.

The study also shows very little difference between genders when it comes to logging on and video-conferencing. Both men and women embraced virtual meetings, with 54% of men and 53% of women taking part in family video chats online.

Emma Graham, business development director for Hodge Bank, said: “It’s so encouraging to see more and more people adapting to a more virtual life online. The pandemic forced so many to have to stay apart from their families for so long and the research shows the over-50s embraced these new ways of socialising, and, not only that, continue to do so with confidence.

“Our over 50s have a much younger attitude to life than previous generations and our research has shown that they’re more than willing to embrace new things in life. From getting online to chat to family, to releasing money from their finances and even banking and saving online. Technology enables all these things to happen much easier and the pandemic has led many over 50s to have to learn and welcome these new ways of living.”

To read more about the benefits of online banking with Hodge, go to https://hodgebank.co.uk/2020/11/02/top-6-benefits-to-online-banking/

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information please contact:

Kath Chadwick or Lynsey Walden at Front Door Communications on [email protected]/[email protected] and 029 20 020360.

About Hodge:

Hodge is an independently owned group based in Cardiff, offering a range of personal mortgage products, savings products to private and commercial clients, as well as lending to commercial clients nationwide.

Over 85,000 customers across the UK trust Hodge to support them because of its years of expertise and knowledge in the markets it serves. Hodge design products with customers in mind, keeping things simple and straightforward.

The Hodge Foundation, a charity supporting the welfare, medical, academic and educational areas own 79% of Hodge.

More information can be found on the website www.hodgebank.co.uk.