I had an interesting conversation with my wife this morning. I was showing her several of my articles about Seniors. She asked why I was targeting Seniors. I said because it was a big audience.

Her take on it was quite different. She said just a few of her senior friends were really computer literate and she expected that was pretty much the norm. Well if that is correct I have been targeting a very small audience. So I decided to do a little research.

Lo and behold she is right. Seniors are one of the major groups that rank low in computer literacy. However there is a bright spot. Seniors are recognizing the value of the internet especially social networks. Between the year 2010 and 2011 the percentage of seniors using social media nearly doubled. It went from 22% to 42%. That equates to approximately 27 million people age 55 and up who are using social media.

If that number of seniors are using social media their computer skills have to be in line with that usage. Research has found that seniors are taking to the internet and social media for a myriad of reasons. They use it to connect or reconnect with friends. They use it to stay in touch with their families especially grand kids.

As more and more medical systems, doctors and hospitals go to an internet based system, seniors are following along to keep up to date with their medical needs. A lot of seniors are not as mobile as they used to be. That makes internet based pharmacies even more attractive to them. They are also getting on the internet shopping bandwagon.

I believe this will become a booming business for those that target the needs of seniors. They will be a hard audience to ignore. Generally they have money for necessities and money for the extras they might desire. The companies that go after the senior market will find it to be a rich one.

As seniors become more internet savvy they will quickly get on board the internet shopping, online medical systems and online pharmicies bandwagon. They are way to smart to be left on the sidelines.

Once they master the internet they will see the advantages of the social media networks also. They can quickly spread the word about anything affecting seniors. They will be big users of social media once they realize the power of it. A word of warning to those catering to seniors. Remember they stick together and any bad experinces will be quickly shared.