‘Working hard’ – Crowborough resident reveals the secret to a long life on 102nd birthday

Home news

Dec 24, 2020

A resident at a care home in Crowborough has shared her secret for living a long and happy life on her 102^nd birthday.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Heather View, on Beacon Road, when resident Doreen Oram, who likes to be known as Joan, turned 102 years ‘young’ on 10^th December.

To mark the occasion, Joan revealed her secret was ‘working hard’, which she has done all her life, working as a cleaner into her 90s – even picking fruit at the age of 95.

On her birthday this year, the home team organised a special visit from her son and daughter-in-law, using the homes new visiting suite, which ensures residents and families members can meet each other safely.  In the afternoon, there was a tea party, complete with music from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s and an old-fashioned sing-along, which got everyone in the party spirit.

Joan was born on 10^th December 1918 in Tunbridge Wells along with her twin sister, Margery. She lived with her nine siblings and her parents in a cottage. Joan has many memories of her father, who was the master of the hunt, taking her with him to look after the hounds.

After Joan finished school, she went into domestic service and worked at several local large houses. She went on to marry George, who was a bread delivery man, and they moved to Groombridge. Together, they had two sons, Barry and Brian.

Joan moved to Heather View in 2013, and continues to enjoy hobbies including knitting and spending time outdoors. She also likes playing balloon tennis with her friends at the care home.

Natasha King, Home Manager at Heather View, said: “Joan is a well-loved resident at Heather View, and it was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible milestone with her friends here at the care home. Joan has always been an active lady, enjoying may of the activities organised by the lifestyle team including exercising, sing-alongs, entertainment and shows, and it was great to have an old-fashion tea party to celebrate her big day. 

“Here at Heather View, everything we do is focused around our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives, so we always like to celebrate important milestones – and Joan’s 102^nd birthday was no exception. It was lovely to raise a glass to Joan on her special day.”

Heather View has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite and palliative care. 

To find out more about Heather View care home, call 01892 883 574 or email Customer Relations Manager, Caroline Thomas, at caroline.thomas@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/heather-view