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Snail-mail correspondence leads to sustained Eden moment

October 21st, 2019

Every year, Points West Living and Connecting Care recognize inspirational Eden initiatives. At this year’s Annual Conference, Points West Living Red Deer received the ‘Eden Moment of the Year’ award for its program matching young school children with residents – through the (almost lost) art of letter writing.

Partnering residents with Grade 2 students

Recreation coordinator Alyssa Seifried, along with Recreation Therapist Delray Demsey came up with the idea of partnering residents with school children throughout a school year, so both sides would have time build a relationship. They connected with Grade 2 teachers at two nearby schools, one in Red Deer and another an hour west of Red Deer in Caroline, and in March 2018 the process began.

“From the beginning of the program, the recreation team was able to educate the students on memory care and overall aging,” says Delray. “At the same time, residents were able learn from the children about new technologies and things that keep them interested, and to share their knowledge and years of stories and wisdom.”

Good old fashioned letters

Most of this connection happened over good old fashioned letters. Both sides would ask about hobbies and interests, and the students would ask about everything; food, pets, kids, where their pen pal lives… Students would often include artwork with their letters, and from time to time, small gifts were exchanged. The Red Deer students met their pen pals at the start and the end of the program, and the Caroline students were able to visit in person at the end of the school year, “to meet and have a little fun.”

“The biggest benefit for residents was for them to have the joy of receiving a letter; knowing that someone new out there wanted to be their friend. Also to receive art – everyone would put the student artwork on their fridge,” says Delray. “Students got to learn a lot about things they had never been taught, and to hear about the challenges their PWL pals faced at the same age.”

Renewing the program for this year

The Eden Moment Story of the Year award is intended to inspire other communities to perhaps try something similar. “It was pretty easy to set up,” Delray says. “About 20 residents volunteered to be involved. We’re working towards renewing the program for this year, and hope to get started on it within a few weeks.”

  April 24 2019 article: Pen pals and penmanship bring young writers and seniors together

Photo: Recreation team members from Points West Living Red Deer celebrate being awarded the Eden award for the Eden Moment of the Year. (Front from left) Recreation Therapist, Delray Dempsay, certified therapy dog Allen, and recreation coordinator Alyssa Seifried; (Back from left) Recreation care partners Vanda Layenaar, Sara Logan, and Gemma Pippy.

More photos at Flickr: Snail mail correspondence leads to sustained Eden moment