Hampshire home care agency plans lockdown birthday surprise for 102 year old

A Southampton home care user who had her 102nd birthday last week was surprised to find all of her carers and manager in her garden to celebrate and enjoy a slice of her favourite cake.

Home Instead Senior Care Southampton, management and carers have been supporting Rita for over a year so when one of her carers Shirley Knight found out it was her 102nd birthday, the office decided they would plan something special for Rita and following government guidelines with social distancing, they all went along to Rita’s garden to celebrate.

’We are glad we have been able to provide a special celebration’

Ms Knight has known Rita for over a year. She said: “Before lockdown, Rita always wanted to be out and about and we always took her out for a coffee on a Friday. With lockdown it has become quite hard because these are times when we can’t take her anywhere so we just try and make her smile and we have a laugh.

“Even when we turn up now, the first question Rita asks is ‘What is the weather like out there?’ and it is so hard for us all knowing we can’t take Rita out.”

For Rita’s birthday, Ms Knight wanted to make Rita a special surprise cake for her milestone birthday. She said: “I phoned my manager and asked him if I could make one because of all the rules and regulations we have to follow.”

Her manager, Robert Boulter agreed and arranged some other surprises for Rita with other members of the Home Instead staff. It was then a case of everybody getting together to organise it from a safe distance.

Ms Knight made a Victoria sponge cake for the 102-year old.

She said: “Rita loves her food and her fruit. She especially likes strawberries so that is why I made her a cake with strawberries on it.”

Six people from the office came to Rita’s garden for the surprise get together and the office sent flowers, and everyone sent cards including and a beautiful handmade card by her other caregiver Jeanette.

When asked the secret to a long life, Rita said, “The secret to my long life is down to my family and enjoyment of dancing.”

Greg Harrold, co-owner of Home Instead Southampton said: “Thanks to our fantastic team for making Rita’s 102nd birthday one to remember.

“The lockdown hasn’t been easy for many people, but it is things like this that make a big difference, and we are glad we have been able to provide Rita with a special celebration, even during lockdown. Everyone at Home Instead wishes Rita a very happy birthday and great year ahead.”

click here for more details or to contact Home Instead (Southampton)