Population increases, college education, Internet access, divorce rate, living arrangements, rates of sexually transmitted infections, nursing home care and Alzheimer’s disease are indicators that may influence older adults to purchase Sex Beyond 60.
The boomers, a large cohort of 78 million people born between 1946 and 1964, were influenced by the sexual revolution from the 1960s to the 1980s. By 2019, boomers’ age will range from 55 to 73. Out of Americans age 65 and older, 46 million is projected to double to over 98 million in 2060. This represents about 25% of the total population of the United States (United Census Bureau, 2014).
The target audience is more educated and more computer savvy than previous generations. By 2014, about 25% of seniors over the age of 65 completed college compared to 5% in 1965. Of college graduates, 92% use the Internet compared to 49% who graduated from high school. Internet use for boomers from ages 65 to 69 is about 82% and for seniors from age 80 and over is 44%.
More people over age 65 are divorced when compared to previous generations. Divorced women increased from 3 percent in 1980 to 13% in 2015. Divorced men increased from 4% to 11% during the same time period. In 2014, 27% of women ages 65 to 74 lived alone, 42% of ages 75-84 lived alone, increasing to 56% of the women who are 85 and older. Although lacking a sex partner, many older adults are still interested in sexual activity. Using vibrators and sex toys will help single women and single men receive the physical and emotional benefits of sexual activity.
The CDC reported in 2014 that 428,724 people or 46% of adults over 50 are living with HIV/AIDS. Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS among older adults occurs after the disease has progressed. According to the CDC, only 6% of boomers are using condoms to prevent transmission of STIs. AARP reported that cases of syphilis nationwide increased 60 percent between 2005 and 2009 whereas among adults, ages 55 to 64 it increased 70 percent. Among all ages, chlamydia increased 27% while cases among ages 55 to 64 it increased 52%. Medicare is now providing coverage for treatment if seniors have chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B, or HIV/AIDS.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing among the boomers. The rates of STIs are highest in Florida, a state that has 19.1% of seniors over the age of 65 and also the highest percentage of STIs in the nation (Pew Research, 2015).
Boomers will demand the right to freedom of sexual expression in nursing homes. As boomers age, a 75% increase is predicted in the numbers of Americans age 65 plus, requiring nursing home care to about 2.3 million in 2030 from 1.3 million in 2010. The demand for elder care will rise especially with increasing cases of Alzheimer’s disease. The amount of people living with this disease is expected to increase to 14 million in 2050 from 5 million in 2013.