The elderly and youth of our country make-up nearly one-half (43%) of the population.
Sadly, both groups suffer feelings of loneliness and isolation in higher percentages than at any time in the last 100 years! In 2007, ten million of the 65 million elderly Americans (65+) lived alone and 35 million suffered from depression.
Primary causes of depression include loneliness and isolation due to * increasing busyness of the younger, working generations, and * long-distance separation of family members.
When previously adoring grandchildren enter pre-teens, grandparents can feel even more lonely and isolated.
Yet, these same young people also suffer loneliness and isolation, often for the same reasons * busyness of their parents, and * long-distance separation of family members, including grandparents, great aunts and uncles and cousins.
Suicide rates among our youth are at holocaust levels.
In fact, isolation and loneliness are epidemic among both the elderly and young.
The question is: what can be done about this? The answer is: text messaging.
And, a real plus to this answer is that the two groups that need the most relief from loneliness and isolation, the elderly and youth can effectively and lovingly provide this relief for each other via text messaging.
Texting is an untapped source with proven potential for alleviating loneliness and isolation, reinforcing family ties, and increasing emotional health for old and young alike.
There are 65 million youth aged 10-24 in our country who love texting! But, most of the older generation have never texted and are completely unaware of this fantastic opportunity.
The elderly often complain about grandchildren not keeping in touch and about kids' obsession with computers, hand-held games, and web surfing.
Ironically, one of the kids' favorite technologies, text messaging, could help end isolation and loneliness for both old and young.
In the U.
S.
nearly 241 billion text messages were sent in 2007, an increase of 150% from 2006.
Young people are a large percentage of these texters-it's their turf.
Eighty percent of the cell phone users aged 13 to 24 send text messages.
Only 18% of the 40-49 age group do.
And the 50+ group? Texting was so low that no percentages were found.
Text messaging is easy to learn, but the percentage of people over 50 that text is negligible.
Not one of my friends has ever sent a text message! Admittedly, the exponential increase in new technologies can be overwhelming.
Nevertheless, many in the older generations have mastered basic computer skills, helping them shop, stay more in touch with the world, and even bank on-line.
But it's so impersonal.
Text messaging, however, provides a very personal connection.
It lets you have a private, one-to-one connection with those beloved grandchildren.
And, for the young who are see-sawing between childhood and adulthood, text messages from grandparents provide much needed individualized attention, stability, and love.
As a social sciences teacher, I love watching behaviors change, watching fads come and go, seeing what's 'in' or 'cool' one year and not the next.
I watched with fascination as cell phones sprouted from students' ears a few years ago, but this year I've seen more and more busy thumbs punching in messages on phones.
Texting is more private and immediate than phoning; 'talking' can occur in lots more places-like classrooms (if you don't get caught)-- and, it's 'cool.
' As a grandmother, I also know from personal experience that a special bond between grandparents and grandchildren can happen through texting: One day last fall, I wanted to wish my 11-year-old granddaughter 'good luck' on her dance performance that night.
It was an extra big deal because she was a 6th grader getting to dance in a university production.
Since it was a school day and she would go straight from classes to pre-performance preparations, I couldn't reach her by phone or email.
"What to do," I wondered? Hmmm...
I had seen her texting a lot.
Always flipping her phone open to check for messages or sending them.
So, I thought I would try.
After some struggling, I sent a simple 'good luck 2nite luv gv.
' She was surprised and thrilled.
And, I was totally unprepared for what came from that one little effort on my part.
That simple message set up an on-going, close texting relationship between us.
Text messaging offers an easy, fun, 24/7 way to alleviate isolation and loneliness.
A special bonding happens when grandparents text their grandchildren.
Kids love texting.
They send them.
They answer them -even to grandparents-even those pre-teens and teens who have quit phoning, visiting, or emailing.
Think about this.
What would happen if all those 50+er's learned to text? Just simple messages, like "I luv u", to their grandchildren? Two huge groups of lonely, sometimes isolated people would feel connected and important to someone.
Latch-key, go-as-fast-as-you-can, techno kids would have at least one source of dependable love and contact and a feeling of being someone special.
The elderly would feel useful and connected to family.
Texting is a tremendous opportunity to use new technology for enhancing personal interactions, strengthening the family, decreasing isolation, and bridging the generations.
It's fun.
It's easy.
It's a fantastic chance to increase the quality of life for the young and old alike.
There are many ways the elderly can learn simple texting, by trial-and-error, by reading a basic instruction manual, or from another person.
But, first, they have to know about this amazing, easily learned opportunity to connect with their grandchildren.
Please help spread the word, and...
why not help someone learn to text? Finally, knowing how to text could save a life since text messages usually get through when other technologies fail during storms or other disasters.
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