The Centenarian Milestone

Written By Canterfield Management

Celebrating 100 Years of Age

The number of centenarians in the United States is growing every year. In 2024, there were 101,000 people over 100 years of age living in the country – and that number is projected to quadruple in the next three decades.  Since this incredible milestone marker is becoming more and more attainable, the question now becomes:

How do you celebrate 100 years of life?

  1. Choose the right venue:

    1. For the introverted centenarians, a cozy home environment and a low key party might be best.

    2. If your centenarian is more active, they might want to go out to a nice restaruant with a group of their best friends.

    3. For the centenarian with a sprawling family, maybe a spacious hall for all their friends and family members to gather is what they would prefer. 

    4. Be sure to keep in mind accessibility access for the guests.

  2. Play Up Nostalgia

    1. Share your favorite memories of the guest of honor in a story-telling circle. Friends and families across generations would have unique perspectives and memories!

    2. Play music from their childhood or young adult years.

    3. Create a banner of what life was like 100 years ago (the price of eggs, newspaper headlines, popular songs and movies)

    4. Create a photo display of their life over 100 years

  3. Shine the Limelight

    1. Give tribute speeches for the guest of honor. Celebrate their life accomplishments and the impact they made on their loved ones. 

    2. Create a legacy video with heartfelt montages of videos from friends and family, sharing well wishes and favorite memories

    3. Call the White House and request a letter from the President wishing the guest of honor a happy birthday.

    4. Serve the centenarian’s favorite foods, drinks, and desserts while keeping in mind dietary restrictions.

  4. Shower with Gifts

    1. Customized quilt

    2. Scrapbook

    3. Spa experience

    4. Fitness tracker

    5. Meal delivery service gift card

At Canterfield Senior Living, we’ve had half a dozen 100+ birthday celebrations so far this year – and it’s only August! Every year has the potential to be a great one, but no birthday is quite as momentous as the 100th. 

Meet one of our centenarians, Mrs. Hatcher:

Canterfield Management
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