Seniors Struggle To Find Affordable Internet

To many Gen X-ers, Millenials, and Gen Z the internet is something that they have always been able to grasp. There are many seniors who are able to master the power of the internet as well.  

But navigating what internet services and packages are needed is a struggle for anyone regardless of age.  

77-year-old Lynn Bailey is one of many residents at Wheatland Lodge in Strathmore who is confused about what she is paying for in terms of services.   

“Just this last couple of weeks I decided that I best be looking at what I have right now. It's probably way more than I should be paying, so I need to find out how I can do this a little bit more economically.” 

Bailey has been in the lodge for a couple of years now, but the COVID-19 pandemic has made internet connection one of her only connections of the past two years.  

“I would go absolutely out of my mind if I didn't have internet. With COVID, we've been locked up and then we're locked out. I haven't been that healthy myself, so I'm not out and about as much as I would like to be. So, the internet is a lifesaver, I just need to work within my budget.” 

Bailey explained that she uses FaceTime the most for connecting with her family, and she likes to Google learn as much as she can on the web.  

“I'm also an Amazon junkie. I have to have that because I do a lot of my shopping online. I didn’t realize you could buy peanut butter online. Even though my family is close, and they will do these things for me, they do have a life of their own so I try to be as independent as I can.” 

Bailey struggles with finding the best package to manage her internet services, she is looking to have everything bundled into one but she struggles to communicate that to the salesperson over the phone.  

When asked what would be the solution to her problem, she mentioned maybe an information session on how to manage her internet or having a trusted friend come to help her deal with the communication companies on the phone.  

“We aren’t as exposed to this as some of those out there and I think that sometimes we miss the opportunity to save money and you end up with more than what you need.”