i work with a number of senior citizens in our rural community and ive noticed since the implimentation of the 10 didget phone number that a few of my "people" can't seem to reach family memebers. This truely disheartens me. I see so many of our elders being isolated for so many reasons, they really don't need another one.  
I know, its not everyone that is experiencing this. It is mainly those seniors that are still able to live at home with a little help, but have issues with mobility, memory or somethingelse. These are the ones that find it hard to grasp and maintain the knowledge of dialing 204 in front of the number when it isn't a long distance call.  
I am writing to ask...Please call your parents/grandparents. They may be trying to call you but can't get through. they are wondering and worrying. They may need something. It will only take a couple of minutes, even to just say "hi, how ya doing?" Let them know you are thinking of them. It will likely make you feel good too.

When my grandma was older, all of us cousins had a schedule that my came up - we each had a week that was 'ours' to phone. We could of course phone her any time, but we 'had' to call during our week. It kept her connected with the grandkids, and we all knew that there wouldn't be a long stretch that she didn't talk to one of us.

calls still go through even if only seven digits are dialed.It will be that way for a month  

frivolouspink said "calls still go through even if only seven digits are dialed.It will be that way for a month   "

But the senior hears the message and thinks there is a problem and hangs up before the call is completed.  
 
I have suggested that the bored teen be sent to reprogram the numbers correctly. It would take an hour or two and may reconnect them with their ancestors (or adopted ancestor if you have a good friend that is elderly).  
 
Great volunteer opportunity for someone looking for something to do this summer.

its a good reminder to our wonderful health care workers that if X resident says they can't get through to their ------ then they could offer to try, after its completely switched to 10 digits, but yes call your parents/grandparents they miss you

frivolouspink said "calls still go through even if only seven digits are dialed.It will be that way for a month   "

 
 
Edited by katwalk1909, 2012-08-09 08:05:27

We also have a large population in the westman area that also feel this way. During the summer months is a bad time as a lot of professionals and family are away on holidays etc.

But even if your parents aren't that old or they live in another province....You should still call them. Just to say Hi.  
 
They're your parents, they love you.

If you can't drop by your parents house on a regular basis because they live too far away then they are already dialing long distance to call you. If they are not dialing long distance then go visit them and program their phone for them.  
Problem solved.

All of you have a valid point in your replies but it is not all black and white. I have dealt with the elderly in my former job and still do. Maybe sometime you should go to a senior's home, assisted living facility or even a personal care home. All are different as far as the people that cope quite well and some not so well. There are pros and cons for everything and I think that we all need to take a walk in their shoes to try and understand how they cope or try to cope with everyday life. Those of us who understand, or like to think we do, all of these changes need to step up to the plate and help those that don't. Think about that the next time a family member says "I haven't seen or talked to you for so long" when in reality you just saw or talked to them the day before. They cannot help the fact that they have forgotten. Believe me I know of what I speak. I go through this everyday with a family member who is in a personal care home and was not put there for that reason but for other health reasons that prevented him getting the care he needed from his care giver at home. It is very hard to see this happen to someone you care about so have a bit of compassion the next time you see someone having difficulty with something whether at home or out in the public and maybe ask if you can help.

Ryan_M said "But even if your parents aren't that old or they live in another province....You should still call them. Just to say Hi.     They're your parents, they love you. "

I use to think all parents loved there children, but that is not true. I have seen many people who have brought children into this world and then decided parenthood isn't the thing for them, for example my mother