Successful Celebrations for Elderly Parents

Everyone loves a celebration, regardless of age, which is why celebrating an elderly parent’s birthday, anniversary, or any other special occasion, is well worth the planning. Below, we offer suggestions to help you prepare for your older parent’s special celebration so they feel honoured, but not exhausted.

Skip the surprise

Pleasant anticipation is one of the joys of life, so skip the surprise aspect of a party, and let your parent know, several weeks ahead, of what you are planning. This way, they can look forward to the event (or events) throughout the preceding days.

Spread it out

When planning a celebration, give serious thought to your parent’s energy levels and their tolerance for activity. Often, it is more restful to plan two or three celebrations spread out over a period of a week or two, with space between for your parent to recover. Celebrations may be divided up so one is for friends, another for adult children and their partners, and another for grandchildren.

Manage a makeover

Everyone wants to look their best at their own celebration. Make time to take your parent shopping for a new outfit, or help them to choose one online if they are not able to go to the shops. Arrange a special hair appointment at home or at the salon, and consider a trip to the manicurists. Perhaps there is an older grandchild who can offer a makeup session.

Honour the elder

If the occasion is a very special one, be sure to include in the guest list those who are significant in terms of the celebration. In the case of a golden wedding, this will include inviting surviving members of the bridal party. If the celebration is a significant birthday, you may like to advise organisations your parent has served or been a part of (such as a church, service group, or club), and ask if they would like to send a representative to the gathering.

Shared responsibility

Celebrations are enjoyable, but for an elderly person, they can also be mentally and physically demanding. If you are your parent’s main caregiver, don’t try to host a celebration yourself. Delegate the job to another so you are free to attend to your parent and their needs during the celebration.

Carry on regardless!

You are planning a celebration for an elderly person. Which means there can be last minute complications (such as a medical issue) resulting in your parent being unable to attend. If this is the case, and you have booked caterers and/or a venue, and have guests who are travelling some distance to come to the party, it’s important to have a contingency plan. For some, this may mean carrying on with the celebration, and raising a toast to your parent in their absence. If this is the case, consider organising a Zoom call with your parent so they can enjoy listening to any speeches being given, and say hello to special guests. Videoing the party so your parent can watch at a later date may also be appropriate.

Be adaptable

If you notice your parent is becoming tired earlier than expected, you may want to bring in special moments sooner than planned. For instance, cutting the cake and singing happy birthday may need to come before speeches (which can happen after your parent has gone home to rest, and can be recorded for them to listen to later).

Capture the moment

There is a great deal of pleasure for an elderly person in reliving their big day. Be sure to appoint a family member as the party photographer so they can capture poignant moments and familiar faces. These can be presented to your parent, as a slide show or album, at a later date so they can enjoy the celebration all over again at their leisure.

Celebrations are special, and making them happen in such a way that they are enjoyable for your parent, but not taxing, is important.