How Seniors Are Adapting to Digital Health Care — And Why It Matters for Estate Planning in 2025

If you still picture older adults shying away from technology, it’s time to reshape that image. Today’s seniors are embracing digital health tools at a remarkable pace—from patient portals and prescription apps to virtual appointments and online lab access. They’re proving that the desire to stay healthy, independent, and informed is universal, no matter your age.

Recent national data shows that more than eight in ten Medicare beneficiaries used a health care website or app in the past year, and most said these tools helped them navigate an increasingly complex medical system. Even more striking, their usage rates now mirror those of adults decades younger.

At Axis Estate Planning, we see every day how resourceful and resilient seniors are. They’re managing chronic conditions through digital monitoring, communicating seamlessly with providers, and tracking medications with apps designed to make life safer and simpler.

How Seniors Are Putting Digital Tools to Work

Many older adults are using technology to:

Review test and lab results quickly
Stay in touch with doctors and specialists through secure messaging
Track prescriptions and request refills
Manage appointments and receive reminders
Monitor complex or chronic health needs

Nearly two-thirds of today’s Medicare beneficiaries say they want more support for digital tools that allow care teams to communicate with each other. Far from resisting technology, they’re asking for better and more coordinated systems.

The Digital Divide Is Real

Not all seniors have equal access. Those with reliable internet and higher incomes are statistically more likely to use digital health tools than those in rural settings or managing economic limitations. Families supporting aging loved ones often see firsthand how frustrating technology gaps can be—especially when multiple physicians or specialists are involved.

There are also honest reasons why some seniors hesitate:

Only about 30% have used telehealth video visits in the last year
Just 23% have used digital tools specifically to manage chronic conditions
Only about one-third say they trust artificial intelligence with medical information

Concerns about privacy, personal connection, and complexity are valid—and they deserve respect and thoughtful solutions.

Why This Matters for Estate Planning

You may be wondering what digital healthcare trends have to do with estate planning. At Axis Estate Planning, we believe they are deeply connected. The more our health care systems rely on digital access, the more critical it becomes to plan for who can step in and manage those digital tools if you cannot.

Key Questions to Consider

Who can access your patient portal if you’re hospitalized?
Who has the authority to communicate electronically with your care team?
Does your Health Care Power of Attorney specifically allow digital and telehealth access?
Does your HIPAA authorization permit online access to medical records and messaging?

Without explicit permissions, spouses or children may be blocked from information or unable to act quickly in an emergency. We have seen families struggle during moments when timing matters most—and those barriers are avoidable.

At Axis Estate Planning, we believe that caring for those you love means giving them the legal tools they need to support you with clarity and confidence. Updating your documents to include digital access instructions can prevent unnecessary delays and confusion.

The Bottom Line

Today’s seniors are not resisting technology—they’re adapting to it with strength and determination. Digital health care is not replacing the human side of medicine, but it is making care easier to coordinate and improving quality of life for millions of older adults.

And if your estate plan or healthcare documents were created before patient portals, telehealth, smartphone apps, or AI-assisted care became standard, 2025 is the perfect time to review and update them.

At Axis Estate Planning, we believe that planning is an act of love—one that protects your independence, your dignity, and your wishes.