Q. I’ve been trying to do some organizing in my home and I recently found a bunch of letters that I saved from my junior high school pen pal. I remember being so excited when I would find a letter from her in the mailbox! I loved reminiscing, but it’s made me sad that I never get a real letter anymore. Does anyone still write handwritten letters?

A. How wonderful that you were able to relive those memories! There really is something special about receiving a handwritten note. In these days of texting and social media, handwritten letters can seem like a lost art, but they don’t have to be. In fact, February 26th is National Letter to an Elder Day, a holiday that was started in 2020 by Jacob Cramer, who had been volunteering with older adults and realized many felt more isolated and lonelier during the colder months following the holidays. Jacob started a non-profit called “Love for Our Elders,” whose mission is to alleviate social isolation among older adults through handwritten letters and intergenerational connections. Although the nonprofit is based in Ohio, chapters have begun to pop up all over the country, including one locally at the University of New Hampshire. Here are a few ways you might celebrate the day if you feel inspired.

Write a letter: Share a thoughtful message with an older adult in your life or with a stranger through the Love for Our Elders website.

Host an event: Organize a letter-writing gathering with friends, family, school, or coworkers.

Spread the word: Use #LetterToAnElderDay on social media to inspire others.

If you’d like to try your hand at writing to someone you don’t know, you can visit the Love for Our Elders website at www.loveforourelders.org/ to find a short list of older adults who were nominated by loved ones to receive letters. Brief bios give an overview of each person’s interests and the reason they were nominated. You can also nominate someone you know through the site. It’s okay to get creative and write from the heart, as long as you write legibly, avoid controversial topics, and send the letter without the pressure or expectation of a reply.

Thank you for this reminder to us all about the joy of getting a letter. Writing a note doesn’t have to be complicated or take a lot of time, but it can go a long way toward reminding an older adult they are remembered and valued.

Are you caring for an older adult or need help finding healthy aging resources? Our experienced staff is available to help. Visit us online at www.agespan.org. You can also call 800-892-0890 or email info@agespan.org. 

Joan Hatem-Roy is the chief executive officer of AgeSpan, which serves the following cities and towns: Amesbury, Andover, Billerica, Boxford, Chelmsford, Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, Marblehead, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Peabody, Rowley, Salisbury, Salem, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and West Newbury.