Respect your Elders: Why Your Grandpa is More Digital Than You Think

E.J. Kritz is the Executive Experience Officer at DBSI. DBSI changes the way people experience spaces with a combination of design, build, technology, and people solutions. E.J. has worked in leadership roles for two of the nation’s largest banks and has consulted to hundreds of banks and credit unions in addition to speaking at events nationwide.

Ah, the classic stereotype: elderly folks fumbling with their flip phones, blissfully unaware of the wonders of digital banking apps.?

“What time is The Price is Right on?”?

Grandma's still writing checks while you’re zipping through Venmo like a pro. But let’s hit the brakes on this tired story faster than Gramps can stop his Cadillac. The idea that seniors are out of touch with technology is as outdated as a rotary phone (although, those things were awesome) and it’s time we debunk this myth.

I’m going to start this rant with a shout-out to my late Grandpa Frank. Pushing 70, this dude decided to bike from LA to Boston. Note I said bike, not motorbike. And before you assume this was how he spent time for the better part of the year, think again. 47 days. That’s it. I couldn’t do it… you probably couldn’t do it. This is the same guy who was still e-mailing me jokes until his final days. Nobody, and I mean nobody, was ever going to tell Grandpa Frank he was old.

He’s not alone and his story isn’t unique. Don’t even get me started on my favorite news story category of all time: “Old People Who Graduate College.” Many of those graduates are from online Universities.?

COVID might have forced their hands but lets face it: Old people are down with mobile ordering from Starbucks and they’re swiping left (or is it right?) like it’s going out of style. They can handle your cute banking app.

Let’s take a good look at the numbers. According to recent studies, a staggering percentage of seniors are using smartphones. In fact, it turns out that more than 60% of those aged 65 and older have jumped on the smartphone bandwagon. And what do smartphones come preloaded with? You guessed it—apps! It’s like saying your great-aunt’s quilt isn’t warm just because it’s not the latest fashion. Spoiler alert: it still gets the job done, just like those apps do for the savvy seniors out there.

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