3 Powerful Benefits of Mailing Letters to Seniors Right Now
3 Powerful Benefits of Mailing Letters to Seniors Right Now
When was the last time you mailed a letter or a card to someone? We are not talking about sending text messages or an e-mail, but an actual card in the mail? It may have been a while, which is a shame. I remember looking forward to getting cards in the mail for holidays or special occasions. Now it’s a Facebook post or a text. Don’t get me wrong, those are great! But many seniors are not online or if they are, they would still appreciate an old-fashioned snail-mail once-in-a-while.
Send a letter to a senior today! Even if it is just to say ‘hello, I’m thinking of you!’
I know that actual greeting cards can be expensive; prices seem to keep going up with everything these days. But why not get a package of stationary to send a note just to say you care or pick up a box of blank cards where you can put in the sentiment? If you have kids, take out the construction paper and crayons or markers and let them make a homemade card.
Here are 3 powerful benefits of mailing letters to seniors:
- Improves Mood. Who isn’t happy knowing that someone is thinking about them? Your loved one goes to the mailbox and sees something in there other than bills or catalogs. Already that improves their mood! Then they read your note and they are in an even better mood!
- Increases Sensory Stimulation. Not only can a loved one read your handwriting in a letter, they can feel it. It is not just type-written text on a screen. There are more senses in use when a letter or card is mailed versus an online greeting. Increased sensory stimulation is used as a therapy to help older adults with dementia; why not let your loved one have the added benefit with the experience.
- It’s a Win-Win. Your loved one will be happy to get something from you, but you will feel good you sent it. An online greeting still conveys a sentiment, but why not go the extra step once-in-a-while. It only takes a couple minutes to put something in the mail. The better you feel about the experience, the more you are going to want to do it, and the positive cycle continues!
At Naperville Senior Center we provide sensory stimulation to our Members every day. Some of our Members have communicated with their grandchildren across the world from our computer station, and we recently swapped notes with the children over at Bright Horizons on ‘letter day.’ Very rewarding watching our Members smile as the read the notes.
Call to action: contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience. It’s like “Home Away From Home,” but with a nurse and therapists in your living room.
Free TRIAL is for new Members and their caregiver.
The trial visit is Monday-Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
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Plant a tree. This might not be something your senior loved ones can do themselves, but they can still be involved. Find out what their favorite tree is (hopefully something that grows well in your zone). If they still live in their own home, find a spot to plant a tree, even a little one, where they can see it. Maybe they could help water it from time to time. They can take pride in seeing something grow and live on for a long time, knowing that they were involved with its growth. If they live in a community where you cannot do this, maybe you can plant their tree by your house. When they come over to see you, point out the tree they that picked out – their ‘favorite’ tree.
April 7 is World Health Day. The theme for World Health Day 2017 is Depression: Let’s Talk. Although depression is not a normal part of aging, it can be common among older adults. Even though the CDC estimates that approximately 7 million seniors in America suffer some type of depression each year, most seniors are happy with their lives.
Other symptoms of depression include:
Invite your loved one out. Take them out for a meal, a visit to a park, or to your house to see the grandkids. Get them out of their home where they are alone and into another environment where they can interact with other people.
Bring them to Naperville Senior Center. At NSC, we provide the social interaction that seniors need. From gaming to exercising to singing and dancing, we let our Members express themselves throughout the day. We also provide a hot, healthy noon-time meal.
Hummus and Veggies. If you can make your own hummus, that’s even better, but store-bought is good too. There is less fat than dairy-based dips. Add some fresh veggies like snap peas, sweet peppers, carrots, cukes, celery or broccoli with it and you will have a tasty snack that will fill you up.
Apple Slices with Almond Butter. If you want sweet and salty at the same time, try slicing an apple and add some almond butter to it. It is delish! Fun tip: make little boats with the apple slices, and use a slice of cheese on a toothpick for the sail. Yummy! We did this on Talk Like a Pirate Day!
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