The 70 million baby boomers in the US—accounting for around 21% of the population—are more digitally savvy than ever because of the challenges brought on by COVID-19. 

Wearables are one consumer technology device that will continue to gain users among US baby boomers through 2026, we forecast, although not exclusively for health-related purposes. The pandemic sparked a greater need to be connected to health providers digitally, as well as access to information from home. 

Insider Intelligence research shows that smartphones, tablets, and other technologies will begin to lose users in this age group as they age, lose some faculties needed to operate some technologies, and eventually die. Wearables, on the other hand, are expected to see greater uptake as boomers themselves, their families, and caregivers seek to monitor more biometric information, range of movement, and daily routines.