Write Letters to Elderly Loved Ones When You Can’t Be With Them

Do you have an elderly loved one in a nursing home? Have you moved across the country for a job that’s far from your aging parents? What about your aunt who lives in a nursing home in a neighboring town? You’ve meant to visit, but you haven’t had the time. Why not write letters to the elderly?

Writing a letter to an elderly person can be a gift that keeps on giving. Letters to the elderly, written with affection and sincerity, are a fantastic way to keep in touch with the special people in our lives who miss us more than we realize.

A letter is a pleasant surprise when it arrives, and it can be read over again whenever your loved one is feeling lonely or isolated.

Letter writing is a lost art for many of us who are busy working jobs, raising kids, and going about the daily tasks of life in this hectic world.

You may be wondering how to write a letter to a senior person, or how to address a letter to a nursing home resident. All you need to remember is keep it simple, cheerful, and sincere.

Your words should be optimistic and uplifting. You may want to include a fond memory you have of yourself and the recipient of the letter. Any memory or life experience that triggers a smile or chuckle is a perfect addition to the letter.

Download a Free Guide to Home Care

Here are some letters to the elderly examples you can use as a guide if you’re not sure how to get started.

Dear Dad,

I’m thinking of you this morning as I run down the sidewalk trying to keep Jackson from falling off his bike. We took the training wheels off today!

I remember you running beside me, holding on to the seat of my bike exactly as I’m doing now. You were a much better teacher. My patience is already running thin, and we’ve only been at it for 10 minutes.

Your calm, assuring confidence in me has helped me become the person I am today. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the way you have always made me feel there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish.

That confidence has given me the power to “reach for the stars”, as you’ve always said, and I have lived my life believing in myself because of you.

I hope you are enjoying the sunny weather in Florida and that you always get that early morning tee time you like.

We are all looking forward to our trip to your house next month. The kids can’t stop talking about Papa’s Pancakes!

Take good care of yourself until then, Dad.

I love you with all my heart,

Susan

If you are sending a letter to a nursing home, the address can be written like this:

Shady Pines Rehabilitation and Residential Care Center
Jane Smith, Room 202
!000 Brighton Blvd.
Anytown, NY 33333

Dear Aunt Jane,

I was so sorry to hear about your accident. Donna told me about your broken hip, and your admission to the Rehabilitation Center to recuperate after surgery.

I want you to know I’m sending lots of positive thoughts your way for a speedy and full recovery. You set the example for strong women in our family, so I’m sure you will be back home before you know it.

It must be hard on you to be confined, but I hear Donna put a bird feeder outside your window. It will be fun keeping watch for your favorite species of feathered friends to appear!
I remember that bluebird feeder you had in your back yard when Donna and I were kids. We had more fun watching those beautiful little creatures setting up housekeeping in the birdhouse above the feeder.

Molly and Jake are working on a surprise for you. We will put it in the mail as soon as they finish it, so be on the lookout for a package.

We all love you very much,

Abby and Family

A thought-provoking letter is a treasure. You can be a ray of sunshine in a loved one’s day, and you don’t even have to live in the same town.

Your letter will be a prized possession for the person who receives it. A phone call is nice, a text is convenient, but a handwritten letter says, “you’re special to me.”