Description: During Lunch on the day of a residents birthday, I blow up 3 balloons and tie ribbons on the ends. I tie the balloons to the residents chair (or if in a wheelchair, I tie them to the centerpiece on the table) Put a Happy Birthday placemat on the table and put Birthday Card next to it (Birthday card is set out in living room 1 week prior for residents to sign). After lunch has been served to everyone, all the staff walk out with the cupcake with lit candle and everyone sings Happy Birthday. All the residents look forward to their own birthday celebration. We also have a monthly birthday party so that everyone gets some Birthday Cake to share!

There is something special about ......
submitted by Agneta Seeley, Activity Director at Swan Pointe Care Center, Maumee, OH on December 28, 2000

The day before a resident's birthday, have an already printed list in a questionnaire form with name (maiden name), sisters & brothers, occupation, favorite food, favorite hobby, favorite vacation, favorite holiday, "Things I can live without", and "I bet you didn't know that I.....". The questionnaire can contain all kinds of personal things about the birthday person. It is only limited to your imagination. The other residents love this and so do the nurses and aides caring for the residents. It gives them so much to talk about.

Family Birthday Dinner
submitted by Robyne Smith on October 11, 2000

Size: 2-20

Equipment:

large enough room to accommodate residents and staff
tables, tablecloths, napkins, utensils, etc.
birthday cake with residents' names printed on it
birthday banner

Objective: To offer socialization and time spent with family members.
To increase self-esteem and importance of self.

Description: Each month we provide a Family Birthday Dinner for those who have a birthday in that month. Invitations are sent out to family members one week in advance to invite them to the birthday dinner. A special meal is provided by the dietary staff and a birthday cake with the resident's names on it as well. The staff serve the dinner and then the cake and ice cream. Other staff and resident's gather to sing happy birthday to the participants and their families. Our local flower shop provides a corsage free of charge to each resident who has a birthday in that particular month. After the meal socialization is encouraged among family members and participants.

Birthday Balloon Bus
submitted by Celeste K.T. Brooks of Washington Center for Aging Services

In a facility of 262, every month there are quite a few birthdays. We always have a birthday party on the last Thursday of the month. However, all of the "Birthday Babies" of the month do not attend. We thought it would be a good idea if each resident could receive a couple of balloons in their room on their actual birth date. Every month we retreive a list of birthdays from our MDS software; place the names on the monthly calendar, as well as, send some balloons to the resident's rooms. We have had some good responses from the residents and their families. Some residents have become more oriented to time (they are waiting for the day they or their friends receive their balloons). Some residents (our less responsive) more became alert on that day. I have even received smiles and a verbal "thank you" from some of our less responsive residents. We have had a few residents inform us of a new-comers birthday. All in all the Birthday Balloon Bus has been a successful program.

We provide a monthly birthday party in the auditorium in our facility.  The second Friday of each month is set aside to celebrate.  All residents, family members, volunteers and staff who are available come to help those with birthdays celebrate.

The dietary department provides the cake and juice or punch for all to enjoy.  Volunteers who are available come and assist residents to the auditorium and serve refreshments.  Residents who are celebrating birthdays are sat at a head table at the front of the room.  About half way through the hour long program, we all sing happy birthday and give out cards (usually bought from Regal)

Musical entertainment is provided by talented family members or more often, we recruit local seniors choirs from the YMCA or senior centers.  Most do not require a fee.  Sometimes they ask for a small honorarium to help cover costs of gas or music.  We give between $20 - $30.

Certificates are requested from local politicians, our Premier and our Prime Minister.  We only request certificates for those who are turning 90, 95 or 100 years old.

The program is quite inexpensive.  We spend approximately $50 each month which covers the refreshments, entertainment, decorations(that can be used each month)and birthday cards.

At our facility, we accommodate residents from all our units including our dementia units.  Everyone enjoys the music, the social interaction and the refreshments.  It lasts about an hour and the residents always look forward to the month when it is their birthday!