Connect with seniors through pen pal project

To reach residents of assisted living centers and others who are especially isolated during the Covid-19 pandemic, Aging Well Whatcom launched a letter writing campaign called the Dear Friend Pen Pal Project.

Aging Well Whatcom, a community initiative sponsored by the Chuckanut Health Foundation, plans to deliver cards and letters from the community to older adults at assisted living centers, senior centers and to clients of the Whatcom Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program.

“We want to promote safe ways to connect in this time when connection is really hard, especially for seniors,” said Heather Flaherty, Chuckanut Health Foundation executive director. “It’s also just a way to bring some good into the world at a time when we really need that.”

Aging Well Whatcom is looking for more places to distribute letters and doesn’t yet have a Blaine or Birch Bay location, she said.

To participate, groups and individuals can write cards and letters and send them to the Chuckanut Health Foundation or drop them off at a community partner site, which includes all WECU location night drops (write “Dear Friend Pen Pal Project” on the envelope), as well as the Whatcom Family YMCA, Allied Arts of Whatcom County and Art and Happiness in Bellingham. 

Flaherty has some tips for writing to someone you don’t know: “Picture you’re writing to a friend. Tell us about your day, tell us about how the pandemic is going for you, a favorite memory from summer.” Find more prompts and information on how to participate at agingwellwhatcom.org.

The project is starting with general letters, not written to a specific person, but it may evolve into facilitating one-to-one pen pal relationships, according to Aging Well Whatcom’s website.

Studies show that finding ways to stay connected directly impacts mental health and improves well-being, Aging Well Whatcom said in its press release. Tonja Myers, administrator for Christian Health Care Center in Lynden, stressed the impacts of getting mail for residents at the skilled nursing facility.

“Receiving a card, letter or drawing has a very positive impact on their day, even when it’s from someone they don’t know,” she said. “We are social creatures, so when a resident receives a note from someone, it reminds them that they are an important part of our community, and someone is thinking of them. Often, they will read and re-read a card or letter, remembering the joy of that connection. It seems a small thing, but it’s so very important, especially now.”

Learn more at agingwellwhatcom.org.