The elderly love receiving handwritten letters
It’s there in that stack of mail. Next to bills, and cell phone carrier advertisements, your 92-year-old Mother recognizes the handwriting of the personal letter. She gives a faraway look. What she exclaims next can be described as being nostalgic. It’s from Tabby. She is referring to her 95-year-old brother who lives in Omaha. His love of their childhood tabby cat got him that endearing nickname.
Holding the letter, she shares that Tabby taught her how to ride a bicycle. When he was 11 and she was 8, neighborhood children were bullying her with mean names. That’s when Tabby stood up for her.
He took a whollap on his jaw in a fight. His teeth never really aligned straight after that. No matter, his love for his little sister has been constant as a pocket watch ticks time. His handwritten letters always have this magnetism in her heart.
She tenderly looks at the envelope, tilting it at different angles in the mid-afternoon light from the bay window. You offer to help open it, knowing that with her arthritic fingers, it could take a while before it gets opened.
She learns that Summer has arrived in Omaha. Buddy, his favorite Cocker Spaniel now walks with a limp. Her brother still can walk to the post box facing his country road. He’s got gout in his elbows. Even so, he musters up the energy to use his walker. He asks how my Mother’s daffodils and gladiolus fared this year. He talks about how he misses his dear Mabel, his wife of 72 years, who passed last Winter. He ends with a chipper Bye for Now, Shirls, a nod to my Mother’s childhood curly hair. Then, her curls resembled those of the iconic child silver screen star Shirley Temple.
Why does a handwritten letter touch a person’s heart so deeply?
It’s because it requires more thought and effort. Handwriting takes more time than typing a text or an email. Handwritten words on a page take up a limited amount of space. Word must be carefully selected.
A handwritten letter looks unique. The writer selects the location of where the address is written. Handwriting is so unique, a heart print so to speak. You’ll notice that for some, there’s a tilt of the lettering. One look at a familiar handwriting is all it takes to evoke strong emotions of belongingness.
Recipients can hold it over and over again. Some use the envelopes as bookmarks. Or post it on the refrigerator door. Folks appreciate the time it took to reach its destination. For most, seeing a handwritten letter in their mailbox brightens their day!
Steps to helping your elderly loved one write a letter or card and send to someone
If one sends handwritten letters and cards regularly, there's a good chance they'll get some back.
Make it vibrant and visual. The more you help personalize it, the greater the impact it will have.
Take fun photos of your loved one. Perhaps they’re eating an ice cone.
Or wearing their favorite Summer visor. Tell them to say, “Cheese”! Smiling faces bring happiness!
Print the photo and glue it to a blank greeting card you can purchase at Hobby Lobby® or Michael’s Craft Store®.
Don’t forget the stamp! Stamps can be personalized. They celebrate many days, and people. It makes the envelope look wonderful. Add encouraging stickers. Use a colorful pen. Personalized touches will make it pop!
What to include in those handwritten letters?
Photos of your elderly loved one are priceless. Amazon® sells dialog box paper stickers. You can find the url to this product in the resources list below. What to write in those dialog boxes? Well, you can collect and write one-liner jokes. Use a family nickname with the salutation. It engages the recipient.
Other ideas:
Reminisce
Give updates on your family’s activities
Share everyday joys
Encourage your loved one to share select challenges they are facing
Others can show empathy.
They can pray for your loved one
Share something your elderly loved one is looking forward to
Inter-generational family connections
Why not help your elderly loved one to write to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren? Explain to their parents that this inter-generational connection can be a win-win. Grandchildren’s birthdays can be remembered. Everyday milestones can be acknowledged. Regular written correspondence will help the relationships grow.
Offer to help your elder loved one to give personal recollection of the times/years they lived through:
World War 2
Korean War
Vietnam War
Civil Rights Protests
The arrival of color television
TV dinners
The invention of the microwave oven
Automobile changing features and designs
Favorite pastimes
Bowling alleys
Roller/ice skating
How they got their daily news
How our agency can help
Our caregivers love to listen and talk with your elderly loved one. It’s healthy. In addition, they can help your elder loved one write handwritten letters. If you’re interested in learning how to start service, please give us a call at 805-238-3500.
Conclusion
Writing and receiving handwritten letters are a mood booster. It improves connections between people. After all, the sharing of our lives helps make us whole. Help them get excited about personal connections! When will you begin to help your elder loved one with handwritten letters?
Resource list
Click here to see dialog boxes stickers sold by Amazon®:
Christian Love Home Care is not endorsed by Amazon nor do we receive affiliate income from Amazon. You take the risk of ordering products from Amazon.
Notes: The introduction including the people portrayed, locations, and situations described is fictional. Any resemblance to reality is coincidental.
Image associated with this blog is a stock photo.
