For families with a senior citizen getting ready to celebrate a birthday, there are many ways that you can make their day by going that little extra mile. No need to have an elaborate birthday party, unless that is what you think they would like, just a meaningful thought can make them feel valued and respected.
However people have different views on birthdays, many people believe that once you get to a certain age, a birthday becomes another wrinkle on their forehead, or another grey hair on their head. While on the other hand, there are many senior citizens who look forward to their birthday almost as much as they did when they were young children. A birthday becomes a milestone and a triumph when you reach a certain age.
Let’s discuss a few things you can do to spice up a birthday and make it more memorable at old people homes or their own residences:
Guests
The guest that you chose to invite is a crucial factor in planning an elderly’s birthday party. Especially in India, we tend to have lots of friends and family – it can be tempting to include every family member or friend; but that can become overwhelming. Send out invitations ONLY to their closest friends and close family members they have had good rapport with. Oftentimes they will appreciate just being around the people they care about for their birthday. For the senior who prefer a relaxed birthday event, you can have just the immediate family and just a few of their friends to join in for a more intimate celebration.
Food
Since it is their birthday, it’s best to have food that they love. A meal does not have to be elaborate to be a success. Old age care needs to be taken for the elderly in terms of their allergies, dietary restrictions and medical conditions when choosing the food. This is especially important when senior citizens are attending, since many may have conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure and all foods would be advisable for their health.
Decoration
Try & keep the decoration minimalistic. Many will enjoy simple balloons and streamers. It might even be a good idea to create a slideshow or collage of the birthday boy or girl’s life and of their friends and family wishing them happy birthday! This is an idea that they can even keep with them long after the party is over.
Activities
Plan activities suitable for people of all ages – especially when family is in attendance, you want activities that appeal to all generations together
Bingo! For the elderly, consider having cards that have large print and markers that are easy to manipulate. If you are planning birthday party games for Elderly Adults, consider making the squares be something to relate to the senior citizen (rather than numbers). Activities like Antakshari or Dumbcharades can also be considered.
So there you have it, a short check-list that can help you plan the special day for your elderly. However, the most important thing to bear in mind is that all these are just indicative. You know what the elderly in your family prefer and the birthday party should be about them. You can find a few examples here
So have fun and share pictures with us.
