How Seniors Are Adapting to Digital Health Care — And Why It Matters for Modern Estate Planning

Mitchell Lansky
Nov 20
3 min read

The Lansky Law Firm | Guidance for Life’s Most Important Decisions

If you still picture seniors avoiding technology and clinging to paper files and landline phones, it may be time to update that image. Today’s older adults are embracing digital healthcare tools more than ever—using apps, patient portals, and online systems to stay informed, connected, and in control of their care.

A recent national survey found that more than eight in ten Medicare beneficiaries used a healthcare app or online portal in the past year, many reporting that digital tools make an overwhelming system easier to navigate. Even more surprising, there was little difference in digital healthcare usage between older adults and people in their 30s and 40s.

Whether sparked by the pandemic, learned during years in the workforce, or simply driven by necessity in a digitized healthcare landscape, seniors are adapting—and often thriving—with technology.

At The Lansky Law Firm, we see this every day in the families we serve. Technology is becoming a meaningful tool for independence, communication, and peace of mind.

How Seniors Are Using Digital Healthcare Tools

Many older adults now rely on digital platforms to:

Access lab results and medical records quickly
Message doctors and care teams through secure portals
Track prescription refills and medication lists
Coordinate appointments and multiple specialists
Monitor chronic health conditions

Nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries say they want even more options for simple, coordinated digital care. Far from resisting change, seniors are asking for better tools.

The Digital Divide Still Exists

Not every older adult has equal access or comfort level. Challenges include:

Limited or unreliable internet access
Cognitive, vision, or mobility limitations
Financial barriers to devices or data
Rural community access gaps
Privacy and security concerns
Preference for real human conversation over messaging apps

Even among those comfortable with technology:

Only 30% used telehealth video visits last year
Only 23% used digital tools specifically for chronic care management
Only one-third trust artificial intelligence to assist with health decision-making

This means technology is helpful—but not a replacement for personal care and communication.

What Does Digital Healthcare Have to Do With Estate Planning?

More than most people realize.

As essential healthcare functions move online, having the legal authority and access to manage digital accounts becomes critical. Without proper planning, even a spouse or adult child may be unable to help during a medical crisis.

Important Questions Every Family Should Ask

Who can access your online medical portal if you are hospitalized?
Who can communicate with doctors through electronic messaging?
Does your Healthcare Power of Attorney allow digital and telehealth access?
Does your HIPAA authorization include access to online medical records?
Who has permission to manage accounts if you become incapacitated?

If these permissions are missing or unclear, families may face serious delays and unnecessary stress at the worst possible time.

At The Lansky Law Firm, we believe estate planning should evolve with the world around us. If your documents were created before telehealth, patient portals, and digital records became standard, it may be time for an update.

The Bottom Line

Today’s Medicare beneficiaries are not resisting technology—they are embracing it with resilience and purpose. Digital healthcare tools are not replacing relationship-based medical care, but they are making it easier for older adults to stay safe, informed, and independent.

And because this digital shift impacts how decisions are made and who can act when help is needed, modern estate planning must account for online access and digital authority.

If your estate plan or healthcare documents predate the “app age,” updating them now is one of the most meaningful ways to protect your wellbeing and your family.

At The Lansky Law Firm, we help families plan ahead with confidence and clarity—so when life changes, you are ready.