Flooding Seniors with Postcards: Community Announcement to Residents - "Greetings to Our Seniors": An onslaught of postcards aimed at the elderlies
Elderly residents in St. Ingbert, Germany are receiving a flood of postcards from around the world, bringing a burst of color and travel stories into their daily lives. The initiative, launched by the Caritas Nursing Home St. Barbara, has touched hearts as people from France, Greece, Africa, and even Hawaii send their well-wishes.
Rita Schmitt and Caecilia Gutheil, staff at the nursing home, read aloud the colorful postcards showing images of beaches, mountains, and churches while the residents listen intently. "Beautiful," the listeners say, smiles spreading across their faces as they reminisce about their own travels.
Several days ago, the nursing home's mailbox filled with an unusual assortment of letters - not typical correspondence from care or pension offices but handwritten cards from far-off places. The sentiments inside not only carry heartfelt greetings but also firsthand accounts of various destinations, memories, and valuable information about tourist attractions.
The idea of sending postcards to the seniors was inspired by a post on the internet by Isabell Meyers, an employee at the home. Meyers had shared a heartfelt plea asking people to send traditional postcards to "travel" along with the residents. Director Karina Titze and the management team embraced the idea, explaining that the goal was to help residents experience a little vacation, joy, and variety amidst their current station.
The response was overwhelming, as more than 400 cards arrived within a matter of days. Personal touches like tales of memorable experiences, details about cultural sites, and thoughtful messages added to the excitement. One woman even brought 30 cards, while another gathered a collection book for postcards, and another from Bremen designed her own album to showcase the adventure.
According to Evelyne Bahr, the social service director at the home, the idea was inspired by a similar project undertaken by the Caritas old people's home Heilig Geist in the Palatinate town of Frankenthal. In 2016, their initiative saw an influx of 380 cards but, as the recent appeal gained traction on social media, Bahr believes this effort In Saarland will reach even more people. Thousands have liked or shared the appeal, astonishing Bahr and her colleagues at the home.
Reading each postcard out loud to the residents, stories and personal memories are shared, brightening the mornings for both residents and staff alike. As the cards continue to arrive, Evelyne Bahr hopes this initiative becomes a regular occurrence for other elderly care facilities as well, extending the joy of connection and travel across communities. The seniors, after all, have deemed themselves the "lucky ones" with such caring caregivers.
Community policy could consider implementing a program to encourage home-and-garden activities as a means to enhance the lifestyle of elderly residents, such as the one ongoing at the Caritas Nursing Home St. Barbara. Employment policy might also be revised to accommodate elderly individuals who wish to contribute in small ways, like creating home-made postcards for seniors in other facilities, fostering intergenerational connection and promoting the spirit of travel.
