There is beauty and peace through traditional connection.
With months of strict, no-visitor rules in place, assisted living communities started looking for options to assist with an epidemic that has arisen within the pandemic, isolation. With many seniors experiencing extreme loneliness, less intimate care, mental strain, and increases of elder depression, many loved ones new that something needed to be done.
Viral reaches through various organizations started popping up on social media urging people to go ‘back to the basics’ and start connecting with our isolated seniors the old fashion way. Calls for pen pals became one of the hottest trending topics online, and spurred a wide array of organizations to help implement programs to get people talking.
It’s no secret that amid the pandemic, elderly individuals are at a great risk not just physically, but also psychologically. Now, everyone knows COVID-19 has been much more deadly among people above 60 years old and showing pre-existing conditions. This fact has led to the locking down of at-risk individuals, leaving them in situations of significant loneliness. Here is where pen pals become helpful, killing the loneliness and sadness of the isolated seniors.
Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person… One empathetic word has a wonderful way of turning into many. – Mister Rogers
People all around the world are getting involved with the elderly through pen pal programs. Sharing their time, stories, and encouragement through the comfort of communication. Mostly handwritten, but also by email, this has been proven to be one of the best ways to bridge the gap left from limited visitations from loved ones. Results from various pen pal experiments around North America has shown that the traditional handwritten letter is the perfect tool for seniors who don’t often use technology. Also, it creates anticipation as they want to feel the connection and look forward to their name in a letter every week.
Maybe the benefit is not just for the elderly, but for the young people that find themselves alone without no one to hear them.
How can you get involved? It’s easy!
1. Take out the pens, pencils, and crayons. Get creative! Write something from your heart.
2. Contact any of the many organizations who are running a pen pal program. Here is our recommendation: https://www.facebook.com/caringandconnectingpenpalinitiative/
3. Deliver the letter and wait for the response!
In the end, all of this is done to make sure that our elders know that they are not forgotten. With all the news focused on how dangerous the virus is, people seemingly lose sight of the very real repercussions of isolation. Anything we can do to help individuals know that they are not forgotten will do them a world of good. It could actually help save a life!
Contact us today to learn more about how Blossoms Senior Care can help get you or your loved one started!