Someone close to me was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. As the disease progresses she has become less and less able to work with technology, including her own computer. Because the computer has become difficult to use for her, she is losing the ability to access and reply to email from friends and family. However, people still want to communicate with her even if she is unable to respond. When several people expressed an interest in sending her physical letters and pictures in order to keep her up to date on family events, or to maintain friendships, the little lightbulb in my head went bing!

She loves getting letters in the mail. Her trouble with a computer prevents her from easily communicating with people electronically so these physical letters have become her lifeline to the world. This is especially true for people who live on the other side of the country and connot pop in for a visit. These hard copies keep her connected, and remind her that she is still loved and not forgotten. She may even read them more than once, sometimes even seeing an old message as new again. This keeps these messages of love and friendship fresh and within easy reach.

In our current digital age people have widely embraced email and text messaging, or social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, as their primary means of communication. People rarely consider taking the time to sit still and scribble out a hand-written letter, or to sort through physical pictures in order to renew old memories and maintain connections between friends and family members. The instant gratification of digital communication has given us a “why mail a letter when I can send email from my phone” approach to contact.

However, physical communication is still the better choice. A real letter speaks louder, and says more. It makes the reader pay attention to the page, and actually read the content instead of skimming the content as people often do on their phones or tablets. There are also no other distractions, such as advertising or work, trying to pull your attention away from the message and it’s importance.

With the wave of retiring Baby Boomers that is surging toward us many people will move into a phase of life that may include diminished memory capacity or ultimately an assisted living arrangement. Many people will become limited in their ability to communicate digitally. Everyone needs to know they are still loved and not forgotten but, for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, email may no longer be the simplest way for them to stay in touch.

People with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s often feel like they have been forgotten because they may not remember that they recently spoken with a friend, or received an email. A real, physical letter held in their hands can be re-read as often as desired, creating a constant connection and reminder of love. Everyone can continue to receive news and updates from family and friends with or without a computer.

Love, life, hope and grief all deserve our full attention. Other people’s joy and pain should not be summarized. The digital age has made communication feel stiff and flat, and the notice of a new message now carries little meaning. Picture one of your friends or family members sitting at a desk with a pen and piece of stationary – when you hold their physical letter in your hands it means so much more. The act of physically writing a letter conveys more meaning, more emotion, and more intent.

Meaningful communication has suffered because of computers and email. No one takes the time to sit down and write a letter any more, especially if they have to round up paper, an envelope, a working pen, and a stamp. Why go to all of that trouble when you can send an email.

But, what if the act of writing a physical letter was just as simple as sending an email? What if someone else did the work for you? If it was easier, would you write to you grandmother at her assisted living home? Or your uncle who is recuperating in the hospital and cannot access a computer? Or what about your friend in the service who has limited access to email? What if they could pin your letter to the wall, or carry it in their pocket and read it again and again?

Reach out to someone you care about the old-fashioned way – we’ll make it as simple as sending an email. Send your family and friends a real, physical letter to honor a special occasion, maintain friendships, or just to show you care.

Let SendMeAMemory.com make writing that letter easy for you.