Birthdays are a special occasion that should be celebrated by family and friends. But, with everyone's busy lives, it can be difficult to get everyone together in the same place at the same time. For seniors living in an assisted living facility or receiving in-home senior care services, there may also be limitations on visitors during certain times due to health protocols. That doesn't mean those special birthdays have to go overlooked, however. Here are some fun ideas from Senior Helpers San Antonio North for virtually celebrating birthdays when everyone can't be there in person.
Creative Ideas for Virtual Celebrations
There are plenty of fun ways to celebrate birthdays virtually that can help everyone, near and far, feel included. Here are a few of our favorite ways to celebrate birthdays when not everyone can be there in person.
Virtual Gift Exchanges
Virtual gift exchanges are a great way for family and friends to all participate in the birthday celebration without having to be together. They can pick out gifts from local stores and have them shipped directly, or look online for fun virtual gifts like digital books, music downloads, movie rentals, or streaming subscriptions!
Online Games
People of all ages can have fun playing online games together! There are plenty of easy-to-use sites and apps like HouseParty, Words with Friends, or JackBox that make it possible to connect people from different households for a lively game night. Or, seniors may enjoy some more old-school-style gaming with PokerStars or Rummikub.
Video Conferencing Calls
Video conferences are one of the best ways to stay connected with family and friends when you can't be in the same physical space. You can use Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, or Google Hangouts to get everyone gathered together on their screens for a virtual birthday party. Just make sure there's good WiFi access before making plans, and coordinate everyone beforehand so you can all plan to sing the "Happy Birthday" song!
Celebrate Safely In Person
Depending on the health protocols of your senior's care facility or their own personal comfort level, it may be possible to visit and celebrate in person. This can help give seniors an extra feeling of having a special birthday when they know family and friends have made an effort to come and see them. If you are able to visit, make sure you take all safety precautions recommended by the facilities and local government, like social distancing and wearing masks.
Senior Helpers Provides Personalized Senior Care Services
No matter how you choose to celebrate, making sure your elderly family members feel included on their special day is what matters! With a little creativity, it's not hard to come up with fun ideas for safe birthday celebrations. At Senior Helpers, we understand the importance of celebrating every moment for our seniors, no matter the circumstance. Contact us today to learn more about the senior care services we offer in the San Antonio, New Braunfels, Boerne, Cibolo, Bexar County, and Canyon Lake areas.