Every Monday we review our most engaging and shared articles from the previous week. First up this week; more seniors than ever are using their mobile devices to access the news. In the 50+ marketing item, we report how industry leaders, experts and providers are coming together to fight ageism.
Most Shared: Seniors Enjoy News At Their Fingertips
According to McKnight’s Senior Living, older adults are reading the news on their mobile devices now more than ever. In research conducted by the Pew Research Center, 67% of Americans 65 and better access news on their mobile devices. That is a whopping 24% increase from last year.
Pew’s research also showed that only 44% of seniors preferred to access the news via mobile devices, whereas 51% surveyed preferred to access the news on a desktop or laptop.
Marketers have to keep in mind that our target demographic is using mobile devices for more now than ever and we need to market to them accordingly.
50+ Marketing Tip: Is your organization placing advertising on online news channels? Make sure your website is responsive to ensure a positive user experience for the mobile traffic the ads drive to you.
To read the full article click here: http://bit.ly/2v6YLDG
Most Clicked: Senior Living Industry Leaders Join Forces Against Ageism
According to McKnight’s Senior Living, the CEO and President of LeadingAge Katie Smith Sloan, declared that the association’s new mission would be to change the way people view aging in our society. Many operators, providers and other organizations are coming together to help lead the charge.
At the time of Sloan’s announcement she said,
“Ageism is working against all that we believe in. It paints aging as a disease that cannot be cured. It drives paternalism. It reinforces the notion that older adults are a burden to their families and to society.”
LeadingAge will be collaborating with Virginia Commonwealth University to develop a training and discussion guide on ageism for those who work in the senior living and long-term care sectors. LeadingAge will fund the venture and hopes to have the guide available next summer. Sloan explained that they felt communities need more tools to help facilitate these critical discussions about ending ageism.
The effort is even getting support from AARP. CEO JoAnn Jenkins agrees with Sloan’s position on the importance of talking about and combatting ageism.
As marketers focused on baby boomers and seniors, we should be extra-sensitive to ageism in advertising and in society. Take a hard look at your creative output; conduct focus groups to root out any paternalistic language or patronizing or offensive images.
50+ marketers in all industries should be working with brands to address ageist attitudes through marketing and internal communications. We can play a part in creating a more educated compassionate senior living workforce to serve the growing number of customers seeking out senior services.
To read the full article and discover how senior living providers are taking steps to combat ageism click here: http://bit.ly/2x5WQ3k