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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Residents and staff members at a nursing home in Sulaimani celebrated the 100th birthday of a female resident on Sunday, marking the milestone with music and festivities.
Aisha Khan, the oldest resident at Sulaimani Nursing Home, marked her 100th birthday in Sulaimani nursing home, where residents and staff gathered to celebrate with music, food, and cake.
"May God let us gather like this every year with happiness and joy," Aisha Khan told Rudaw's Peshawa Bakhtyar. She said she had never known her exact age before, but now she can finally tell anyone who asks that she is a century old.
Although her advanced age has affected her memory and mobility, caregivers say she continues to enjoy spending time outdoors in the facility's garden and taking care of chickens, activities that have become part of her daily routine.
Zhyar Jalal, director of social welfare in Sulaimani, said Aisha Khan requires continuous medical attention but remains well-liked by staff and fellow residents.
"In terms of health, her condition is not very good, but she can make everyone happy with her sweet words. She needs to be taken special care of because she is in a wheelchair," Jalal told Rudaw.
Another resident at the home congratulated Aisha Khan on her centennial birthday. "God bless her. I'm happy she has lived such a long life," the resident said.
"This is our home. Every morning I wake up, wash, put on perfume, and comb my hair,” she said, describing the care workers as family.
Sulaimani nursing home currently houses 60 residents, including 15 women. Residents range in age from 60 to 100, with Aisha Khan being the oldest among them.
The Kurdistan Regional Government operates elderly care homes through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs for seniors without family support or who cannot live independently.
