Positivity – the secret to a long life according to a Stratford-upon-Avon resident

Home news

Dec 21, 2020

A resident at a Stratford-upon-Avon care home celebrated her 102^nd birthday and revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.

Birthday celebrations were in full swing at Care UK’s Ambleside, on Evesham Road, when resident Joyce Edwards turned 102 years ‘young’. She revealed the secret to living to this impressive age is her positivity – and ‘enjoying the things you like’.

On the day, Joyce celebrated in style with a traditional birthday party, featuring a game of carpet bowls with her friends at the home, complete with cake and a special visit from her daughter and granddaughter.

A former Rolls Royce secretary, Joyce married her late husband Frank in 1942, and they had two daughters. In addition to her positivity and upbeat attitude, Joyce prides herself on her love of sports, and played tennis, golf and bowls in her younger years. She also asked her son-in-law to teach her how to windsurf when she was 70.

Joyce has lived in California and explored Africa when she visited her daughter, who lived there at the time, encountering a range of animals, from wild boars to hippopotamuses. She’s also a keen painter, a hobby which she has continued since moving to Ambleside care home in May 2016, and her work is displayed around the home.

Home manager at Ambleside, Julia Joy, said: “We always like to throw a party for important milestones, and Joyce’s 102^nd birthday was no exception. The last year has been challenging, but it is important for us to maintain a normal routine for residents where ever possible – and continuing to celebrate birthdays is a big part of life here at Ambleside.

“Joyce brings a very special energy to the home – she’s always positive and has a million of incredible stories to tell. It feels like there’s nothing she can’t do, from wind-surfing in her 70s to continuing to wow us with her paintings. She’s a big part of our Ambleside family, so we really wanted to organise something special.

“There aren’t many things Joyce likes more than bowls, so it’s safe to say the event was a triumph! We’re looking forward to celebrating many more milestones with her.”

Joyce was born on 12^th December 1918 in Derby and moved to Ambleside in May 2016

Ambleside is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema, café and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about Ambleside care home call Customer Relations Manager, Gary Hulme on 01789 868 298, or email, gary.hulme@careuk.com 

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/ambleside