At Conserv A Store, We’d gladly help any older customer that prefers to use the long-time phone call and real life conversations! We actually prefer it that way!
Some customers have mentioned to us in previous years that it is welcoming to hear a real live person that makes mistakes and answers instantly. This is something that we pride ourselves on being that small businesses have to interact with their customers on a regular basis.With that being said, we understand that sometimes it is just easier to have a phone call rather than an email. Here we will tell you why we think its important to keep that a part of our business as well as give you some options when trying to adhere to an older demographic in your business. We will continue to trust in our clientele request and we also enjoy helping seniors.
Who, What, How do define senior citizen, elderly, older group of people? 
“When someone is in an advanced stage of life that is well past middle age, they might be referred to as “elderly.” This term often carries negative connotations and might suggest that someone is frail or in poor health.” “The term “senior citizen” typically refers to someone who is retired and above the age of 60 or 65. That may be because in most industrialized Western nations, around 60 or 65 is usually the age at which an older adult can start receiving social assistance programs based on their age — Old Age Security in Canada, for example. But be aware that while the term “senior citizen” is commonly used to describe older adults, some find it patronizing.” Reference
We actually think that this has nothing to do with working or helping the elderly. If you are older and all the technological advances are something you are just not use to, we understand. We do not want slower speech, slower movements, or uneducated on technological advances halt you from calling us or wanting to place an order on our online store. We never would want someone who is older to feel stigmatized or stressed which can ultimately deter them away from our business.
Being an old-fashioned business, if a person in their 80s or 50s and above, more than not, they prefer not to use electronic devices such as a tablet, computer, or smart phone. That is absolutely okay with us. We actually understand the headaches technology can give someone so we will gladly adjust how we communicate with you in order to make you feel more comfortable. Some of our products requires an installer or help when installing. We can even help you with referrals to installers in your local area. Not many businesses will go above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction, we are a business that believes is it the most important to make sure our clients have access to us how they need it most!
Here are some of the ABC’s we follow when working alongside of elderly community: The Do’s and Don’t of Doing Business with Senior Citizens Reference
A. Don’t Be Condescending
Be mindful of your tone and inflection. Your prospects are older, not feeble minded. They aren’t toddlers. They’re highly educated, well informed, intelligent human beings searching for a place they would love to call home where they can pursue new interests as well as old passions. You’re the conduit to an informed decision. Not their pre-school teacher.
B. Do Help Them Fall In Love With Your Community
Do they love hiking? Let them know about the weekly hikes your community organizes. Do they have a passion for travel? Tell them about all the opportunities to see the world with fellow residents. Find out what they want or what their interest are and peak them in that. Do your research in order to best serve your client. Don’t assume they want to hear about the fitness center or the dining rooms. Not everyone works out, and some really enjoy cooking. I know, so not trendy. Get on their page and off yours.
C. Do Let Them Know You Care
Make sure they know they matter to you and your organization. People need to feel special. They need to know you care about them, their family, and their interests. If they get the sense you don’t care now, they’re certainly going to believe you won’t care when they’re no longer independent. Talk about a deal breaker. 
D. Don’t Use Fear Tactics
Do not scare them into a buy. Don’t use fear of failing health, loss of a loved one, or any other type of stab them in the heart ploy to make a sale. Just don’t do it. They don’t need you beating it into them. You won’t win sales that way, and you certainly won’t earn trust.
E. Do Be A Trusted Advisor
Use active listening to hear why they’re searching, what they’re looking for, and how they plan to get there. Assist them with creating a plan of action. Engage with your prospect frequently, with a purpose, and offer solutions and information for challenges they face.
F. Don’t Sell
That’s right. Don’t Sell Anything. Not one of the dos and don’ts above involve selling. Each one does however involve building a relationship. And relationships make sales in senior living today.
“Today, as some older adults are becoming more comfortable with technology, this techno approach has becomes less effective. Recent Pew Research Center surveys found that seniors are moving toward more digitally connected lives. Around four-in-ten adults ages 65 and older now report owning smartphones, and internet use adoption among this group has also risen substantially. Today, 67 percent of seniors use the internet and, for the first time, half of older Americans now have broadband at home.
Because of this shift, older adults have started to see technology as more than just a safety net. Instead, this demographic is looking for technology that can help them stay active, independent and connected to friends and family. Unfortunately, however, many marketers haven’t caught up yet.
Why fear-based marketing doesn’t work.
Fear is one of our strongest emotions — it’s a primal evolutionary development that helps us survive. However, when brands use a negative message to take advantage of customers’ anxieties it can make both prospective and existing customers feel sad or depressed. They may adopt a victim mentality or even feel hopeless to the point that the solutions you’re offering seem like a waste of time. California State University researcher Kaylene Williams concludes that weakly appealing to fear may not attract enough attention but provoking strong fear can cause the consumer to ignore or avoid the message. Extreme fear appeals often are unsuccessful in changing attitudes.
To put it simply, most of us avoid our fears and cling to what makes us feel happy and safe. Research published in the Journal of Consumer Research revealed that “consumers want to be happy, and marketers are increasingly trying to appeal to consumers’ pursuit of happiness,” a position that continues to be reinforced both in marketing and academic research. Therefore, a positive marketing strategy increases the likelihood that your audience will become brand advocates, feel confident about adopting your products and see those products as an effective solution to their problems. It will also become easier for customers to feel a sense of acceptance and trust, creating a deeper connection with your brand.
What’s resonating with seniors today.
First and foremost, marketing to the senior market requires an understanding that older adults are leading longer and more active lives. Seniors are just as likely as younger generations to spend time out and about. They are interested in technology that will help them lead an active, healthy lifestyle and stay connected with their friends and family — for a long time.
It’s also important to note that while seniors tend to have practical concerns and a no-nonsense approach to buying, they are becoming increasingly tech-savvy. Baby boomers were some of the first consumers in the technology era and are inherently more comfortable with technology than older adults in their 80s and 90s. As this demographic continues to age, marketers will need to change their tactics and strategy to reflect boomer’s active lifestyle and tech savviness.” Reference
Some Other References for your viewing pleasure:
https://www.psmbrokerage.com/
https://www.thinkadvisor.com/
http://www.senior-gardening.
https://www.bluefountainmedia.
https://www.
In Closing…
We want to help
We realize older people are unbelieveable smart but due to generational issues they just don’t sometimes care for technology. That’s fine with us! I mean the elderly have a lot of money and they are willing to spend it on what they want! wink wink! We’d be glad to help seniors with a tech phobia. We don’t want to misclassify you so please if you feel this does not apply to you then we will correspond with customers they way we always have, but it would behoove us not to have that option on the table. We are here to help senior citizens even if its to checkout and for guidence on how to process payment on our site. Technology doesn’t always work the way its supposed to so when you have an issue, feel free to reach out to us. We are a company who caters to senior citizens.
Call us anytime!
407.898.2284
Email Us if your choose
info@conservastore.com/conservastore
Conserv A Store
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