Flooding Postcards Delivered to Senior Citizens' Homes: Community Initiative - "Greetings to the Senior Citizens": An influx of postcards aimed at the elderly community
Postcard Campaign Brings Vibrant Travel Experiences to Seniors in St. Ingbert
Seniors at the Caritas nursing center St. Barbara in St. Ingbert, Germany, found themselves transported to various destinations this morning as they gathered to listen to staff members reading from an overflowing stack of postcards. Rita Schmitt and Caecilia Gutheil shared colorful images of landscapes, churches, and beaches from around the world, bringing smiles to the listeners who nodded along, sharing their own travel experiences.
For several days, the senior residents have been inundated with mail from unknown well-wishers. Postcards have arrived from the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas, iconic cities like Dresden and Unna, as well as international locations, such as France, the Netherlands, Greece, Africa, India, Thailand, and Hawaii. The senders of these postcards have never met the seniors in Saarland personally, but they responded to an online appeal written by employee Isabell Meyers, who initially intended the message for relatives. "St. Barbara is going on a trip - and you can take us with you!" was the headline in the notice.
The staff at the care facility hoped to take the residents on a journey through their thoughts and bring joy to their daily lives by sharing holiday experiences, photographs, and well-wishes. Within a few days, more than 400 cards had already arrived, with some donations including personal collections of postcards and an album filled with vacation memories created by a Bremen resident. The team at St. Barbara was left speechless by the outpouring of support.
Similar postcard campaigns for seniors in care facilities have taken place before, most notably at the Caritas old people's home Heilig Geist in Frankenthal, Palatinate. In 2016 and 2017, they received 380 cards, bringing delight to the residents. The appeal in Saarland is likely to reach even more people now that it has spread on social media platforms, garnering thousands of likes and shares.
As the postcards are read aloud, the seniors come alive with their stories of past travels, sharing anecdotes about camping trips, swimming lessons with children, and fond memories of exotic getaways. Social worker Rita Schmitt reports that some residents have even turned more lively due to the morning postcard sessions.
The team at St. Barbara hopes to continue this tradition, inviting other senior care facilities and provided care centers for those with disabilities to participate in similar postcard campaigns. Evelyne Bahr, social service manager at St. Barbara, expresses her hope that this initiative will spark a broader trend in society to combat loneliness and bring joy to others.
In addition to vacation-themed postcards, the seniors also appreciate reminiscences of fashion trends, such as a vintage swimwear model, and the kind words of strangers who call them "lucky ones" with caring caregivers. Many senders have included their addresses, allowing for future responses, and some even inquire about writing back to their newfound pen pals.
Sources:[1] Caritas St. Barbara in Saarland, Germany[2] Love For Our Elders, United States (www.loveforelder.org)[5] Saarbrücker Zeitung (www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de)
- The community policy at St. Barbara nursing center could be amended to include regular postcard campaigns, fostering health-and-wellness and lifestyle improvements for seniors through travel experiences.
- Incorporating employment policies that address health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and family-health can help staff members like Rita Schmitt and Caecilia Gutheil maintain their vigor while providing care for seniors, allowing them to continue initiatives like the postcard campaign.
- The postcard campaign's success in bringing joy to seniors at St. Barbara opens up opportunities for partnerships with other organizations focusing on men's health, womens' health, parenting, and lifestyle.
- As the postcard campaign gains traction on social media, it is essential to implement an employment policy that encourages the use of social media to promote positive changes in the community, such as bringing happiness to seniors in nursing homes and care facilities.
- The home-and-garden department could organize a similar postcard campaign, sending images of beautiful gardens and home improvement projects to seniors, promoting relaxation and well-being.
- The influx of postcards from kind and thoughtful strangers demonstrates the importance of entertainment and the power it has to connect people across the globe, fostering a sense of shared humanity, especially among seniors who may be feeling isolated.
