“Whatever you do, do it with love” – the secret to a long life according to 100-year-old Sutton care home resident

A 100-year-old Sutton care home resident has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.   

Helena McLaughlin, from Care UK’s Tennyson Grange, on Westmead Road, marked her 100^th birthday on 14^th March with a special birthday surprise. Reflecting on her many happy years, she revealed the secret to a long life is to “eat well, work hard and whatever you do, do it with love”.

To celebrate the occasion, the talented chefs at Tennyson Grange prepared Helena a special afternoon tea to share with her friends and fellow residents. Ensuring the scene was set for the home’s latest centurion, the team decorated the home’s lounge with birthday banners and balloons – much to Helena’s surprise. 

Commenting on her 100 years, Helena said: “Life is too short to be serious – so make sure to have fun. I don’t feel old at all, my friends are all younger than me and yet whenever we go out, I’m always the one who catches the man!”

Helena was born on March 14^th 1923 in Altrohlau, a small town in Czechoslovakia. Aged just 12 years old, Helena visited her aunt in London, and loved living in the city and British culture so much, she chose never to leave. During her career, Helena managed two newsagent and tobacconist shops in London, where she built lasting relationships with the local community. Reflecting on her time working in the shops, Helena said: “I loved to talk to people so always had a shop full of customers!”

 

Helena has three children and several grandchildren who often visit her at Tennyson Grange and get involved in the home’s activities that are designed with younger generations in mind. 

Rick Mayne, General Manager at Tennyson Grange, added: “We could certainly learn a lot from Helena’s secrets to a long life. It was wonderful to listen to Helena share her memories from her 100 years and to help celebrate such a momentous birthday.

“Here at Tennyson Grange, we work hard to support residents to lead fulfilling lives, and celebrating special occasions and birthdays plays a huge part in this. We love any excuse to celebrate the amazing people living here at Tennyson Grange and Helena’s birthday was no exception. Everyone had a wonderful time eating a delicious afternoon tea and raising a glass of bubbles to Helena. 

“A much-loved resident at the home, Helena has an excellent sense of humour and is always making us laugh. We were honoured to raise a glass to her incredible life so far and are privileged to have her as part of our Tennyson Grange family.” 

Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence,Tennyson Grange, incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The layout of the home has been configured to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.

To find out more about Tennyson Grange, please contact Home Admissions Advisor, Francois Erwee on 02037 972375, or email francois.erwee@careuk.com, or visit: careuk.com/tennyson-grange