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Facility Categories: What They Mean

Hello volunteers! We have refreshed our guide to what each facility category means on the sign-up portal.  

Click through the list to see a description of the category, the type of seniors typically residing in each facility and hints about the types of correspondence which will be most appreciated.



General Tips

  • Letters should be at least five sentences long and include a personal anecdote or story

  • Each letter should be unique, as the seniors like to “share and compare” their letters

  • Please use sturdy paper, cardstock or notecards, not flimsy notebook paper or index cards

  • Dark ink on light paper is optimal for ALL seniors

  • Include a favorite quote or silly joke in addition to your personal message

  • Add colorful doodles or stickers for extra eye appeal

  • As LAI is all-inclusive, please do not reference politics, religion or scripture

PRO TIP: Write your letters first, before creating pledges in the portal! Kindly ensure that you have enough supplies, postage and time to meet the mailing date of each portal cycle

Assisted Living

In this type of community, seniors are no longer able to live alone and  may require limited nursing care as well as assistance with basic self-care activities such as bathing and dressing. Meals are prepared and served in a communal dining room and laundry services are provided, as is administration of medication. Facilities offer many group recreational activities in addition to brief community outings.  Also referred to as custodial care, residents at this type of facility will likely appreciate letters which mention events happening in the outside world as well as information about seasonal/holiday happenings.

Nursing Home

Also called long-term care facilities, seniors in this setting have physical and/or cognitive impairments which necessitate intensive hands-on care, round-the-clock monitoring and meals provided in a group setting. All facilities have on-site activities programs and some may schedule small, simple trips into the community. Letters sent to individuals at this type of facility should optimally be written in larger than normal print and details should be specific and easy to comprehend. Drawings by children are especially appreciated at this type of facility.

Memory Care

This type of facility caters to individuals with cognitive impairments significant enough to necessitate 24-hour care and increased safety measures, such as locked doors and security cameras. If you choose to write to these seniors, use a bright colorful card and keep your thoughts and ideas simple and concrete. Interesting, eye-catching pictures will mean more than lots of complicated writing. Again, this would be a good place to send children’s drawings.

Senior Center/Program

These are community-based centers, attended by seniors who reside independently and seek socialization by participating in a variety of classes focused on physical activity, crafts and community trips. Many facilities also serve meals and provide referrals to community-based health services/support agencies as needed. Your correspondence may be longer and more detailed for these seniors.

Meals on Wheels

These are community-based programs which rely on volunteers to deliver thousands of meals to homebound seniors across the country. As important as a nutritious meal is the appearance of a friendly face; this may be the recipient’s only social interaction for the day. These are perhaps some of the most isolated seniors we serve and who will appreciate news of the outside world (and writing in a large font is an added bonus!) As with Senior Centers, your correspondence may be longer and more detailed.

Hospice

Seniors in hospice settings are receiving end-of-life care. Let’s brighten their days with positive quotes, friendly thoughts, respectful kind wishes and perhaps a simple joke. It is imperative that you do not discuss health or religion in your letters. This is the perfect chance to include some artwork, colorful stickers, or simply use colorful pens and paper.

Special Birthdays

LAI accepts birthday requests for seniors who are aged 90+ and we ask our volunteers to send cards to mark the occasion.  Each volunteer is limited to sending one card per birthday recipient, allowing the senior to receive a wide variety of cards/styles/good wishes. If you'd like to participate, you are welcome to send any form of birthday wishes, a favorite birthday quote or a birthday joke to help make the celebrant's day special. Note that we do not have birthday requests during every cycle.




Are you wondering how to access these categories on the portal? Click through this slideshow for step by step instructions!


  1. Click the “Search Facilities” tab which the navigation bar at the top of the screen.

  2. Click “More Filters: which is located in the bottom right corner of the screen.

  3. Check the “Category” box in the drop down menu.

  4. Click the “-Select-” button that appears under “Category”

  5. Click the facility type you want to filter by.

  6. Press ”Apply” in the black box in the bottom right corner of the screen.

If you ever are wondering what the categories mean again in the future, you can easily get back to this blogpost! Just click the blue text that describes the category type in any of the facility cards, and it will redirect you here!

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Please understand that some facilities offer a continuum of care and we've done our best assigning each to a category.

THANK YOU to each and every one of our volunteers!...YOU are making a difference EVERY DAY!

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