100th birthday celebrated at Resthaven Malvern
‘Keeping mum safe’ on her special day
Many happy returns to Mrs Elizabeth Gould, who celebrated her 100th birthday at Resthaven Malvern on 28 April with a ‘window birthday party’ due to COVID-19 visitor restrictions.
Elizabeth was seated in the front foyer area as her family celebrated outside the window, communicating with a white board and coordinating with the site staff to see the flowers, birthday cake, and many, many birthday cards.
Elizabeth’s family completely understand the measures to keep their mum safe, and were delighted with the birthday celebration. They contacted the local Channel 9 news team, who arrived to do a television story for the nightly news. Mrs Gould was delighted to be featured on her special day.
Elizabeth’s eldest son, Sinclair, said:
‘It’s been wonderful, I’m so pleased for her. It’s been great.
‘She looks the best she has looked in six months. She lit up like a movie star.’
Daughter in law, Janet, said, ‘In a way, it was made more special than if we celebrated with her in her room. How joyful we were – you could see in her face how happy she was. She has been really excited; they are just such strong stoic women of this era.’
‘It’s so precious to celebrate her special birthday.’
Janet continues:
‘The staff at Resthaven were fully engaged in the occasion and couldn’t have been more obliging and kind.’
‘Elizabeth receives very good care, and they have made it a very special day, in these current circumstances.’
‘We all went away feeling on cloud nine. It was a highlight in not only Elizabeth’s life, but ours too!’
Elizabeth excitedly showed off all her cards, especially the one from her namesake, Queen Elizabeth, and enjoyed cutting her delicious birthday cake.
After singing ‘happy birthday’ and cutting the cake, Mrs Gould enjoyed a FaceTime call with her other son, Allan, who lives in Queensland.
Until recently, Elizabeth lived at home. Janet says:
‘We are so happy to have her here where we don’t worry about her, as we know she receives excellent care. We trust Resthaven totally.’
Resthaven supports around 1,290 vulnerable older people across South Australia in twelve residential aged care homes. Thankfully, no one in the Resthaven community has tested positive for COVID-19 – a credit to the staff, volunteers, and families who have adhered to strict infection control policies during the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the world.
With the threat of COVID-19 reducing in South Australia, visitor restrictions will be eased from Monday 4 May at all Resthaven residential aged care homes, with strict entry criteria to be observed.