Senior citizens account for nearly 15% of the population in the United States, more than any other recorded time in history.
As such, businesses would be missing a valuable mine of potential sales by ignoring this vast section of the market. No matter what industry you're in, you should be marketing to senior citizens.
Following are some industries that could easily market to seniors….
Rental Housing Sector
As the following article looks at, the older generation of renters may be a strong target market for landlords and real estate property holders.
As seniors seek to downsize their living situation, they frequently turn to rental apartments, townhouses and condominiums to fit their housing needs.
To make your rental units more attractive to seniors, offer single-floor living, wheelchair access and stair climber chairs in the units themselves.
Meal Delivery Services
Your meal delivery service may currently be targeting young, single professionals, but you could be missing out on a large portion of the market by excluding the potential for senior customers.
Seniors who lived well in their youth won't be as eager to sign up for a meals-on-wheels program, as those meals tend to be bare-boned, nutritionally-balanced, yet bland meals. There are a number of seniors that will desire more exotic flavors and international cuisine.
If your company provides such meals for delivery, you could have a whole new market for your products and services.
Transportation Services
Many seniors have no desire to drive anymore, or some may have lost their licenses due to physical impairments.
Whatever the reason, there are thousands of seniors in the U.S. who need transportation services. They may need a ride to a doctor's appointment, to visit friends or relatives, transportation to the nearest bus or train station, or just a ride to pick up groceries.
If you have any kind of service where you can provide transportation for seniors, start marketing to them now in order to get your share of this market segment.
Exercise Programs
Nearly every senior is told by their doctor to try and get some form of mild exercise.
Yet, in many regions of the country, it's difficult for seniors to find places and ways to follow doctors' orders, especially in colder climates.
If you run any kind of workout gym or exercise center, consider implementing special exercise programs that are geared toward seniors' needs.
You might have a very low impact stretching class, or a hydro-exercise program led by an instructor. Be sure to include transportation to and from the exercise center.
Also, be sure to schedule your senior programs during times when the gym is not full of younger, fit people.
Some seniors may get disoriented in heavily crowded areas, or feel frustrated when forced to compete for equipment against someone half their age.
Whenever you market to seniors, be sure to consider their limited income.
Seniors often subsist on very little finances, and whatever discounts you can provide to them will be very welcome.