Research shows* that British seniors (60+) have become increasingly more digital since the pandemic started with almost half (44%) of those aged 60+ reporting more digital behaviours over the last year. We chatted to Sherrie Hewson (71), former Coronation Street, Benidorm and Emmerdale actress and Loose Women presenter, to find out how her digital habits have evolved.
"Well, I've always been quite tech-orientated as I've had a phone since 1993 when I first went into Coronation Street, and I'm not talking about the big brick phones, I'm talking about little Nokia," says Sherrie. "So I've always had a phone but it wasn't until I got an iPhone that I realised how clever phones are.
"I totally, utterly believe that the digital world is the future. I mean, I'm not sure digital will take over the world and we’ll never speak again, I don't think it's that. I have embraced technology, there are things that I still get cross about, and think oh, ‘why can't I just do that?’ Instagram is one of them. My daughter has shown me how to use it so many times and I come away and I still didn't know what she said!
"I've also got three grandchildren, who encourage me to be more digital and if anything goes wrong they just take the phone off me and go, ‘look, this is how you do it’. So I'm lucky in that way."
Across all ages, digital habits have increased with 49 percent of Brits trying out more new digital services than usual to facilitate their lifestyle and 73 percent of Brits believing that their lifestyle will remain more digital after COVID.
But it is amongst the senior age group that a significant digital shift has become apparent; 77 percent of the 60+ age demographic believe their lifestyle will remain more digital after the pandemic.
Did technology help Sherrie to feel more connected during lockdown?
“Yeah, particularly in the first lockdown when you couldn't go out at all, we all got a bit scared. Because nothing had happened in our lifetimes like that, where you cannot go out, you cannot mix, you cannot drive anywhere. And I found that quite distressing. So actually, my phone was my life.
"I even did work remotely via video calls, I did a show called Wonderbirds and it's filmed in my kitchen!"
"My dad used to say during the war, you know, he's gone now. But during the war, they were bombed out. And they had nothing. And you know, they were scared. But the thing with them, they weren't locked in, but they didn't have these things where you could immediately go to Face Time, and see your children and your grandchildren and be connected immediately. And that's what is so wonderful about technology is the immediacy of it.
"I actually don't know what I would have done had I not had that, because I'd have gone a little bit loopy. Phones kept me connected to real people and life. I got messages from people I hadn't spoken to for about five years. ‘ I was just checking you’re okay. Are you okay?’ I went, ‘Yeah, you?’ ‘Well, not so great.’ ‘No, I'm not so great.’ That’s technology. That's what it did for us all."
With statistics indicating that 3.6 million older people in the UK live alone, digital connectivity means more than ever before. There is a shift in habits as more seniors adopt digital technology or try out new platforms.
Sherrie adds, “It is not always easy to keep up with all the digital at my age, but the pandemic has challenged us to dare to try new things. And in some cases, it has been the only option to make everyday life go together. My life has certainly become more digital during the pandemic and I am thankful for it for keeping me entertained, challenged and connected with loved ones. I have opened my eyes to many new apps that both facilitate and guide my everyday life, from reading newspapers and magazines to relaxing, to video conversations with children and grandchildren.”
The top digital apps that seniors have tried for the first time during lockdown includes:
• Video call apps - 20%
• Shopping apps - 15%
• Food ordering apps - 14%
• Reading apps (magazines, newspapers, books) - 12%
• Social media apps - 8%
• Film and series apps - 6%
• Podcast apps - 3%
• Gaming apps - 2%
So, what's Sherrie's new favourite app?
"Really it can’t be simpler , once you've got the app store figured out on your phone. I do enjoy Readly in particular. I wish my mum had had it when she was alive because she was an avid reader. And in the end, going to the shop and getting all the magazines and then getting rid of all the magazines can be a palaver, although I still believe in going to the shop and buying magazines because I think we all enjoy it. But digital makes it very handy. You can download articles, you can share articles, save recipes from cooking magazines.
"I have about 60 or 70 apps on my phone from quiz apps like Eggheads, which I love to do on my phone, particularly on the train. The travel apps and all of that, they're so useful. And I have health apps too that I have. Everything is there, there’s nothing you can't get. You know, it makes our lives so much easier. "
*The YouGov study for Readly, the all-you-can-read subscription service, investigated how the pandemic has affected the lifestyle of seniors.
Readly is offering 2 months of free reading for sign ups throughout October then usual subscription of £7.99 per month for unlimited reading. For more information visit www.readly.com