I think know someone that might be available.
Posted on 07/22/2013 11:13:30 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
I need help from fellow FReepers. My mother is living in assisted living 2500 miles from me. She will turn 100 in August, and I need ideas on how to help her celebrate.
She is mentally sharp, but she is declining physically. She is confined to a wheel chair, or a walker, now and her hearing is quite impaired. Consequently, she does not like more than one, or two people in the room with her at the same time; and she just gets furious if people talk to each other in her presence.I think the sounds get all jumbled and she can't make sense of them.
I have tickets to travel to be with her for her birthday. What kind of party and what kind of recognitions should I plan? I don't think that any of her 4 grandchildren, or 12 great grandchildren, can travel to be with her for the occasion. They live even farther away than I do and have been beset with all of the problems young adults have -- college, unemployment, etc. They are all working again, but I'm sure that they have no vacation hours due. I'm asking them to send nice pictures and cards.
She does have nieces and nephews who live in her vicinity who probably could make it to a party, although I know she wouldn't want anything large. She also has a few friends.
Does anybody here in FReeperland have any experience in planning a party for an elderly person? If I ask her, she'll say that she doesn't want anything, yet I know that she'll be insulted if I don't plan something.
Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share.
Throw a party to celebrate the significant events and people at the time of her birth and each decade afterward.
That’s good. I think I have most of the pictures here.
No suggestions, but wish her a Happy Birthday! That is an achievement. Ask her to tell you about her favorite times. I guess that is a suggestion.
Both of you have great suggestions. I wonder if I could get a newspaper (or copy) that was published on the day of her birth? I’ve seen those adverise, but I can’t remember where.
Maybe you could get the newspaper to publish a nice story about her or take out a small advertisement wishing her a happy birthday.
The key is to make sure someone is in the room making conversation with her at all times, or else she might feel isolated and abandoned as opposed to being the guest of honor.
And of course, her entrance into the main room for the song and cake should have appropriate fanfare.
Can members of the family wish her Happy Birthday on a video?
You can get a Presidential card but I think you need several months lead time.
My mother lived to 102. Born 1900, passed away 2002. Part of 3 centuries.
We were able to get most of the family together for her 100th.
You can get her a 100th satin sash and a tiara. Maybe a bouquet, like “Queen for the Day.” Also, call the facility where she is, and ask for suggestions. Local newspapers sometimes will come and take a photo. Not many make it to 100, it should be a big deal.
They ought to do that for her. She taught journalism for many years, and some of her former students worked at the local paper — or perhaps still do.
wow, invite me! I’ve never met a person that was 100 years old before.
Thaat’s on my list for today — call the assisted living home. I’ve tried once, and they weren’t answering their pones yet. (2 hours time difference) It’s time to try again.
With all of our digital communication tools, you are in luck for creating the perfect birthday card for her. Get all of her children, grandchildren, etc. to send you a short clip of themselves saying something wonderful about her.
You can give them starters like:
My favorite memory of Grandma is...
Nobody can do ___ like she does.
Or they can just say something like, “I wish I could be there to tell you in person how much I love you.”
Get all of this together in one presentation along with some special still photos with great captions.
If her hearing is okay with just one person at a time, you can just play it for her and sit with her. If necessary, you could get it close captioned, I guess. (Not really too technically advanced here.)
Anyway, this would be a great birthday “card” for her to look at again and again.
You are so blessed to still have your mother at this age. It’s a shame you have to be so far from her. I really miss my dear mother, who passed away in 2007 about 6 weeks shy of her 95th.
Safe travels to you.
If there is some celebrity or famous personage she likes, don’t be afraid to solicit a congratulary message from them. You don’t reach 100 every day, you know.
You can buy cards from her birthyear. It has headlines, prices, etc. I always like to just read them no matter the year. Is her school still standing, how about stores she may have gone to when younger, etc?
Two words.
Las Vegas.
Don’t forget music that she remembers. If she is a Christian old gospel or bluegrass tunes may bring joy to her heart. If she danced, what music did they play when she was dating?
Music is always a wonderful backdrop to any occasion. It brings back many memories.
-PJ
Yep.
Go to Google books.
Your video might include music of the decades, important events in her life, the country and world.
Do some good video editing. Not just some slide show.
Write a script that follows the decades and have pictures, music and snippets follow.
I’d give you link to one that was done exceptionally well but, I can’t find it.
That way she can keep them all on file and hear/see them again and again. This may be better than having a party with everyone there because she can listen/see the messages whenever she wants to again and again.
It will take some planning but I bet she would love it. Happy Birthday to your Mom!
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