Organizing Notes for Isolated Elders
My momma always said “If you're feeling blue, do something for somebody else. “ This is such a great time to take that advice. So I wanted to share with you one of the projects I am organizing and invite you to join me. My team and I, with help from clients and friends, are handwriting note cards for senior citizens who are isolated during this phase of COVID-19.
You likely know that our elders, especially those in nursing home and other senior residences, are some of our most vulnerable community members. But you may not be aware that, sadly, some members of our greatest generation are feeling completely isolated and they're confused because they don't understand why their friends, family, or regular caretakers cannot be with them.
Although some of our seniors are great with technology, not all of them are. As many of us take advantage of electronic communication to stay connected, some of our seniors do not have the understanding, fine motor skills or muscle strength to be able to use certain devices or programs.
Some get really confused on the telephone, especially those with hearing loss, and some have anxiety issues that make all the changes in routine particularly difficult. But many senior citizens LOVE postal mail! Good old pen to paper. So, we are sending handwritten notes to as many isolated elders as we can, and we invite you to do the same. Write several short notes, a few postcards, or just one letter. Write 100 cards using a general script -” hello friend, I am thinking of you… we are all in this together… isn’t spring beautiful…” whatever resonates with you. Just a few simple sentences is all it takes to let someone know they are not forgotten.
And if you are low on note cards, here are some suggestions of items you may have around the house that work well: photographs as postcards, the fronts of greeting cards you have received (cut and use as a postcard or cut and glue onto paper to make another card), children’s drawings, coloring pages, typing paper, wrapping paper glued onto cardstock. Write, type, paint, color; use stickers, collage, or your favorite pens. Have fun, get creative!
Then send them directly to your local nursing home or senior residence or send them one at a time to elders you may know. Send by postal mail or drop them off (at a very safe social distance) to the delivery entrance of a senior care facility. Leave a packet of cards at the delivery door and ring the front desk to let them know the cards are there. It's a really beautiful way to show people that we're all in this together, that they are cared for and that we are taking care of our greatest generation.
Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Consultant and Decluttering Expert. She does hands on and virtual organizing in the Louisville, KY area as well as travels nationwide to help remote clients.
