Notification to Residents: Wave of Postcards Sent to Senior Citizens - Notification for Seniors Residing Here: An Avalanche of Postcards Arrives
Elderly residents at the Caritas Care Center St. Barbara in St. Ingbert, Germany, were treated to an unexpected journey this week, as they received a deluge of postcards from across the globe. Rita Schmitt and Cäcilia Gutheil, staff members, read aloud the colorful cards, adorned with images of beaches, mountains, and churches, bringing smiles to the listeners.
The postcards arrived from far and wide––the North and Baltic Seas, Dresden and Unna in Germany, France, Holland, Greece, along with Africa, India, Thailand, and even Hawaii. These senders have not personally met the seniors in Saarland, but came across an appeal on the internet, initiated by employee Isabell Meyers. The plea, initially intended for relatives, encouraged them to send traditional postcards, allowing the residents to "travel" virtually.
"Each card brings a piece of holiday, joy, and variety to daily life," wrote director Karina Titze, expressing the team's hope to take the seniors on a mental journey, sharing the experiences of their well-wishers from every corner of the world. The response was overwhelming, with more than 400 cards pouring in within a few days, filled with holiday experiences, sightseeing tips, or good wishes.
The response was not limited to cards: A woman from Bremen created her own album, while another donated a collection book for postcards. The team members from the Caritas old people's home Heilig Geist in the Palatinate town of Frankenthal, who initiated the idea, were astounded. They had already started a similar initiative in 2016, garnering a delightful response from the residents, but this time, the response was much more significant, with 380 cards in the previous year.
The appeal on social media has struck a chord with thousands, racking up more than 6,000 reactions. Evelyne Bahr, a social worker from the care home, expressing her surprise, stated, "We didn't expect anything like this at all." The initiative sparked many personal stories among the residents as they connected the postcards to their past travels and memories, much to the delight of the staff.
The team members hope that this won't be a one-time event, expressing a desire for other senior centers or care homes to participate in similar initiatives, reflecting the growing trend of society's efforts to combat loneliness and bring joy to seniors.
- The unexpected influx of postcards from diverse locations, showcasing lifestyles and home-and-garden landscapes, has become an integral part of the community policy at Caritas Care Center St. Barbara, aiming to enrich the residents' daily lives and resonating with the employment policy of creating joyful experiences.
- Inspired by the overwhelming response and impact of the postcard initiative, staff members are advocating for the implementation of similar home-and-garden themed projects within other care centers, aligning with the broader employment policy of enhancing the quality of life for seniors and tackling loneliness within the community.
