They say that life goes full circle, and I can certainly attest to that. For a child, birthdays are a time for grand gestures and celebrations, for badges and banners. However, as you get older, birthdays become less important, the days of parties and jelly and ice-cream are over and are replaced with a nice meal or an afternoon tea. As mobility issues creep in it is not always possible to get out to celebrate and I am of a generation of people who don’t like to inconvenience others by asking for help. Getting out to a restaurant is not a as easy as it once was.

As a parent or a grandparent, you place more importance on others, ensuring that they enjoy their day, making them feel special.

Here at Hazel End the roles have been reversed and we are the ones being spoiled. Last week one of my fellow residents celebrated her birthday. The lifestyle team really went to town to ensure that she was made to feel special. She was the centre of attention and whilst she protested that she didn’t need a fuss, I think that she was secretly delighted to be on the receiving end.

There were balloons and table decorations, singing and laughter. A beautiful cake was made by the chef and the team and fellow residents sang Happy Birthday at the tops of their voices, it was joyful, and the icing on the birthday cake this year was being able to receive visits from our families.

As adults we become accustomed to only celebrating what we call the big birthdays, 21, 30, 40 etc but at Hazel End every birthday is a big birthday.

On previous birthdays I have spent a lot of the day at home alone, the children were at school or work, and I went about my business as if it were any other day. Not anymore! From the moment you wake until the sun sets our special days are celebrated and it’s such a thrill. From housekeepers singing in the corridor to the care team styling our hair and bringing us chocolates. It’s wonderful.

Every day is a special day here, there is not a day goes by when the lifestyle team do not have something fun planned for us, but birthdays, they are extra special and that’s as it should be.