Letter to an Elder Day

Private Home Health Care loves this National Day and we like to tell you why.

Seniors for many different reasons can feel lonely at times.  We all get plenty of junk mail and they probably do too.  A handwritten letter received in the mail may sound old-fashioned but it is certain to brighten a senior’s day.  

Jacob Cramer discovered this after the death of his grandfather.  He volunteered at a senior living space to honor him and started playing games with the residents.  He began to notice that many did not get many communications or visits. 

Seeing the loneliness that was prevalent in the community he decided to try and change things.  He started writing letters to different senior communities.  He made so many friends that he wanted to expand his success.

Since 2013, Jacob has a group of 50,000 letter writers that write and send letters to elders all over the world.  Each year he hopes to spread the enthusiasm to companies, classrooms and individuals by having this national day.

Today, if you know of a senior who may be lonely try writing a letter, adding a stamp and mailing it.  Add your return address and see if you get a response.

You already spend a fair amount of time communicating?  Is it by letter or texts and emails? You send greeting cards for birthdays?  That’s great but do you add a letter and is it to an elder?

How about adding to the posse of letter writers that Jacob has?  Find a senior living facility near you.  Get in touch and find a few names of residents so you can personalize them.  Then write a letter or two on a topic or things you think they might enjoy. 

If you know the seniors it should make things easier.  Think of the joy and happiness you would spread. 

Happy connecting with others.

Photo by Ron Lach