I just read one of the most persuasive arguments for technology adoption and most pointed call to action for all “kids” to get their parents online from an unusual source – the Post Bulletin. So many newspapers seem to wrestle with the idea of communication moving online – but this opinion piece (and their generally good coverage of tech topics) in the Post Bulletin sends a different message – we need embrace technology…

… That’s why, as adult children see their parents entering their golden years, they should do everything within their power to help them keep up and remain at least somewhat conversant with the technologies that could help keep them safe and improve their quality of life — whether through televisits with their pharmacist or long-forgotten friendships that are rekindled via Facebook.

Yes, helping an aging loved one in this way might require an investment of money, time and patience. They might even be resistant to the whole idea — and then, once you’ve helped someone gain familiarity with new technology, you almost certainly will get phone calls that start with, “I don’t know what I did to it, but now it doesn’t work.”

Just remember that you’d much rather get that call than one from an ice-covered driveway or a highway ditch after Mom or Dad has an accident on the way to the doctor — especially if that visit could have taken place via webcam from the warmth and safety of their living room.

Just last week I heard Jack Geller talk about how we’ve pretty much hit saturation in terms of getting the folks online who want to be online. The elderly are also on the list of top non-adopters. Jack pints out that it’s a demographic that will change as folks who are adopters age into the “elderly” category and folks on the high end age out entirely. And I think from a community perspective he has a point – but I think no matter how old your kids are – you probably do for your kids what you wouldn’t do for yourself. Maybe the key to getting older folks online is through their kids – and grandkids.