PresCare Alexandra Gardens residents connect with young Aussies through a pen pal program

Key points:

• Residents at a North Rockhampton aged care home, PresCare Alexandra Gardens, connected with Year 4 students at Frenchville State School through a pen pal program
• The Aged Care Guide can help you find an aged care home with a variety of extracurricular activities and provide you with an idea of what to expect when moving into aged care 
• Although pen pal programs are not available at all aged care homes, other letter-writing programs such as the Letterbox and Letters of Hope can help you connect with others

Residents at PresCare Alexandra Gardens, an aged care home in North Rockhampton, Queensland, forged intergenerational connections with young students after exchanging multiple letters in 2024. 

The Year 4 Frenchville State School students were met by residents at their school before conversations started flowing between the two groups. The residents were given a tour of the students’ classroom —  the young students proudly showed some of their work, while the older people shared stories of their youth and schooling. This was the first time they had met in person, having only exchanged letters previously.

Manager at PresCare Alexander Gardens, Sandra, commented on the significant impact the pen pal program has had on the residents.

“The program has been so successful. It’s a testament to the power of connection and how it can build understanding and mutual respect between different generations,” she said.

“We’re all looking forward [to] continuing our pen pal program again in 2025.”

Frenchville State School Year 4 students also participated in the pen pal program with a local nursing home in 2023. 

When choosing an aged care home for yourself or a loved one, learning more about the extracurricular activities available before moving is a good idea to get a better sense of what your later years may look like. 

The Aged Care Guide can help you find the perfect aged care home for your lifestyle with its search function and filters. Additionally, knowing the right questions to ask can help to ensure the aged care home is suitable for your needs. Read more about what to look for and what to expect when living in an aged care home. 

Although not all nursing homes will engage in pen pal programs with young people, writing letters in other programs means you can still connect and make another person’s day, even if you’re in a different state or territory. 

Almost 20 percent of Australians over the age of 75 years old experience loneliness, which can negatively affect mental and physical health.

Letter-writing organisations are a good way to connect with others and choosing the right one for you doesn’t need to be difficult. 

For example, if you’re looking for a pen pal service that matches you to someone based on your interests, the Letterbox by Connected.U could be a good option — letters are sent through the safe, vetted service. Connected.U is an Australian organisation that facilitates connection and encourages creativity. 

To register for the Letterbox program, you’ll need to have a Community Membership which also allows you access to online clubs, self-development courses and blogs. 

A different and cheaper letter-writing option is available and does not require responses —  this can be a low-pressure option for people wanting to connect. 

As a volunteer at Letters of Hope, you can send letters to people who have requested a letter of hope. This can include people who are experiencing concerns such as loneliness or mental health issues. The only cost is the postage to send your letter to the organisation.

Alternatively, if you need some extra support, you can request a free letter from the Letters of Hope website. 

However, exchanging letters with other people may not pique your interest. Other ways to connect with younger people may include heading out to your local library. Tech Savvy Seniors, a New South Wales Government and Telstra initiative, provides low-cost or free training sessions at varying skill levels to help older Australians improve their skills online and when using computers.

While older Australians are more connected than they have ever been, only 10 percent are ‘very confident in their ability to stay safe online.’

Some sessions previously held included how to share photos and attachments online, an introduction to online shopping and banking, social media basics and an introduction to cyber safety. Visit the New South Wales Government website for a list of upcoming technology education events and contact your local participating library for more information.  

Libraries and schools across Australia also run free in-person services to support older Australians in developing digital literacy skills. This includes the Young Mentors program where Australian high school students assist older Australians with using technology. You can watch a video on the official website to learn more about this program and how to participate.

Seeking extra companionship and support is not uncommon, as the Australian Government has established the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme. This is a free scheme available to eligible aged care recipients in government-subsidised aged care homes or with Home Care Packages. You can request an Aged Care Volunteer to visit you or become a volunteer on the Department of Health and Aged Care website. 

Have you bonded with a younger person through shared interests? What did you enjoy most about it?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

For more information and news in the aged care industry, subscribe to our free newsletter. 

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