NATIONAL CITY, Calif. (KGTV) - Some unexpected joy is arriving in the mail for residents of local senior care facilities, amid the ongoing restrictions on visitors.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced visitor restrictions on nursing homes, Terri Martinson was conflicted. Her father is a resident at Parkview at Paradise Village in National City. She was happy the health of her father - Clyde Hasemeyer - was being protected, but she knows her dad.
"My dad is very social. He loves getting visitors, and telling jokes, playing games, singing and laughing. I was really concerned he wouldn't have any visitors," said Martinson.
She and her family call often and write letters, but a few days ago, Clyde got a letter from someone he doesn't know. Clyde, a Koren War Marine Veteran, received a letter from 14-year-old Christian Hughes.
10news caught up with Christian and his mother Mariana a few days ago as they began a letter-writing campaign for local senior care facilities. Their idea caught fire on social media. Hundreds of letters and cards have started to arrive at nursing homes, ending up in the hands and hearts of people like Clyde.
"My dad was so happy. He laughed and enjoyed it so much. He asked the caregiver to tape them up on his wall, so he could look at them all the time. Just makes him feel so nice not to be so isolated away from everyone," said Martinson.
It's a feeling of not being alone during a time of staying apart.
"It's a small loving gesture we call all do ... it means so much to people who aren't in contact with other people right now," said Martinson.
On a national level, the American Health Care Association has launched a campaign to facilitate letters and cards from the public to nursing home residents.
Here is a list of local senior care facilities accepting letters and cards:
Granite Hills Healthcare and Community Center
Attn: Activites
1340 E. Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
Cottonwood Canyon Healthcare Center
Attn: Activities
1391 E. Madison Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
Lo-Har Senior Living
Attn: Activites
768 Dorothy St.
El Cajon, CA 92019
Victoria Post-Acute Care
Attn: Activities
654 South Anza St.
El Cajon, CA 92020
Casa El Cajon
Attn: Activities
306 Shady Lane
El Cajon, CA 92021
Sunrise at Bonita
Attn: Activities
3302 Bonita Road
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Veterans Home of CA Chula Vista
Attn: Activities
700 E. Naples Court
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Birch Patrick Convalescent Center
Attn: Birch Patrick Skilled Facility/Christina Griego
751 Medical Center Court
Chula Vista, CA 91911
Windsor Gardens Convalescent Center of San Diego
Attn: Activities
220 E. 24th St.
National City, CA 91950
