Throughout the U.S., several organizations are pairing up older adults with pen pals to help ease loneliness. Would this work for your mom?
If you don’t live close enough to visit her each day, you may find your mom calls you and wants to talk for hours. You don’t want to say anything, but you’re having a hard time keeping up with your own responsibilities while you’re on the phone with her.
This is where a pen pal will help. Your mom has something to look forward to. She’ll eagerly walk out to the mailbox to see if there’s a letter waiting. She can pick up a pen and write a letter back. She gains a companion.
How to Find a Pen Pal Program
Search for pen pal programs for senior citizens online. There are several, including some with well-known agencies like United Way, and local agencies on aging may have a list.
See if any of the local schools offer a pen pal program. Some do have students writing letters to people during handwriting and spelling lessons. It allows children to put their letter writing skills to the test and provides your mom with something to look forward to.
If you know someone willing to write to your mom, you can arrange a pen pal privately and know you’ve found someone you can trust. You should also consider having your children become your mom’s pen pal.
How It Works
Socializing with a pen pal is easy. Your mom gets a letter from someone who is signed up in the program. She answers it. That starts a back and forth chain of letters where people talk through letters.
Your mom writes as much as she wants. She’ll have a new companion from the safety of her home. Some of these programs, such as the United Way Pen Pal Program in California, require letters to be sent to the United Way office first so that they can be screened to rule out potential scams.
Companionship Services Provide Face-to-Face Socialization
Pen pals help ease loneliness. Caregivers are even better. With elderly care services, your mom has caregivers visiting her in her home. Caregivers can help with household chores while chatting with her about her favorite movies, books, games, etc.
Caregivers can play those favorite games with her. They can join her on walks or set up an afternoon tea to share. Schedule companionship services with an elderly care specialist.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering elderly care in Cherry Hills, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
