As communities across the country prepare to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, let’s think about what the postal system means for isolated and mistreated older Canadians.

Launched in 2006 and officially recognized five years later by the United Nations, WEAAD is an annual opportunity to acknowledge the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue. It is also a chance to focus on the experiences of older people.

Amid the debate about Canada Post’s future, a common narrative is that no one writes letters anymore. Everyone sends emails or texts and pays their bills online, pundits say. While it is true that many Canadians, especially younger ones, have never sent a letter, we must not forget about those who continue to connect with pen and paper, whether by choice or necessity.

For elder abuse victims, the mail can be an important link to advocates and community resources. It is not uncommon for professionals to receive handwritten notes from seniors asking for help, perhaps about a financial scam, a greedy landlord or an unscrupulous family member. Some letter writers might have dementia or a mental illness and are being denied their decision-making rights. A letter to a lawyer can be the first step in reclaiming their autonomy.

Given Canada Post’s dire financial position, the day might soon come when this trusted public service is not there to deliver these messages. The business is effectively bankrupt, according to a recent report by an industrial inquiry commission established by the federal government in response to the postal labour dispute. Without major changes, the Crown corporation’s “fiscal situation will continue to deteriorate,” commissioner William Kaplan wrote.

The good news is that there is a strong desire among Canadians to preserve Canada Post as a vital national institution. Kaplan heard this during the inquiry, and in his report, he makes seven recommendations to keep it running in this capacity.

The bad news is that Kaplan recommends the elimination of daily door-to-door mail delivery to homes. He supports the continued transition to community mailboxes.

To be sure, it is indisputable that mail volume is down. About 20 years ago, Canada Post was delivering 5.5 billion letters each year. By 2023, that number fell to 2.2 billion. It is expected to decline even more over the coming years and decades. But even in our electronic age, Canada Post remains an important and trusted public service, especially to vulnerable older Canadians.

Home delivery is about more than what arrives in the mailbox. Postal workers are the eyes and ears of our communities, providing an important link between isolated seniors and service providers. The letter carrier might be the only one who notices mail piling up, dogs barking strangely, and overgrown weeds in an otherwise tidy garden. They might also be the only person a senior sees that day.

Community mailboxes fracture these relationships.

Other jurisdictions have established official programs in which postal workers do wellness checks on seniors. In Canada, the postal worker union is calling for a pilot project to evaluate the benefits of such a program in this country. It is worth a try. But according to the union, “Canada Post has been unwilling to pursue this opportunity for service expansion.”

To ensure these stories and connections are not lost, consider writing a letter to Canada Post’s board of directors, stressing the postal system’s unique ability to help isolated and mistreated seniors. Your voice can make a difference in their lives.

For more information about WEAAD, please visit the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse website.

Heather Campbell Pope is founder of Dementia Justice Canada, a small nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the rights and dignity of people with dementia.