Prairie View Launches “Letters for Seniors”
April 29, 2020
NEWTON, Kan. (April 29, 2020) – Prairie View is launching “Letters for Seniors,” a program aimed at collecting letters to be distributed to residents of area long-term care facilities.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our world completely,” says Dr. Satinder Mahal, DO, director of Prairie View’s Older Adult Services department. “These changes have been particularly difficult for elder residents of nursing homes, the sector of the population most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19.”
Because residents cannot leave their facilities, receive visitors or engage in activities with their peers, they may experience increased loneliness, depression and anxiety.
“We are all social distancing to protect our community,” says Mahal. “Now it is time to rally around our greatest asset: our elders.”
Get involved
Prairie View is asking for the public’s help in writing letters. Letters may be emailed to letters@pvi.org or mailed to Prairie View, Letters for Seniors, PO Box 467, Newton, KS 67114. If mailing a letter, please write in large print. Due to infection control concerns, all letters received will be distributed digitally.
Letter-writing do’s and don’ts
There are a few guidelines for those who participate.
• Do make the letter positive and uplifting.
• Do include positive stories and personal experiences from everyday life
• Do get creative! Artwork and poems are welcomed.
• Do not write the date on the letter.
• Do not add personal information such as address or phone number.
• Do not discuss polarizing subjects. Be sensitive that the reader of the letter may not share the same religious or political beliefs.
Long-term care facilities interested in participating should email letters@pvi.org.
Prairie View, a faith-based behavioral health services provider, offers treatment and psychiatric services for all ages as well as consultations for businesses and organizations. In addition to our main campus in Newton with outpatient offices, psychiatric hospital and residential treatment for adolescents, Prairie View serves clients in Hillsboro, McPherson and at two locations in Wichita. To support Prairie View’s mission to transform lives, call 800-992-6292 or visit prairieview.org.