Altrincham care home resident, 100, reveals secret to a long life

A resident at a care home in Altrincham has shared her advice to leading a long and happy life on her 100^th birthday. 

Jo Doherty, who lives at Care UK’s Halecroft Grange on Hale Road in Hale Barns, celebrated her newly minted centenarian status with banners, balloons and a cake. 

 

Although she originally didn’t want anyone to know she was turning 100, the secret gradually got out and her family helped organise a surprise party at the home. She embraced the celebration, even wearing a sash that read ‘100 and fabulous’.

Jo was thrilled to spend time with her family – especially her grandchildren she hadn’t seen in years as they live in the USA – and even shared her secret to living a long life.

“Work as a team with your partner in order to build a happy and successful life,” she said. “Everything falls into place around it.” 

Born in Liverpool, Jo began her career teaching five-year-olds before moving into accountancy within the civil service. She met her husband in 1948 while he was studying physics at university, having come over from Ireland. They married four years after and later settled in Manchester, where they raised four children. Today, Jo has 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Over the years, Jo and her husband lived in Boston (USA), France, Spain, Germany and Australia, where they relocated under the ‘Ten Pound Poms’ scheme.

A passionate bridge player and former netballer, Jo has always embraced an active lifestyle. Now, she enjoys catching up with friends over coffee. 

Suzi Sumegi, Home Manager at Halecroft Grange, said: “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Jo and her family. As a much-loved resident, it was amazing to mark this tremendous milestone with her, celebrating her many achievements and hearing her very good advice for living a long and happy life.

“Everything we do centres around our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives – and Jo’s 100th birthday celebration was no exception. It was lovely to see her so happy and surrounded by those closest to her on her special day.”

Halecroft Grange provides residential, dementia and short-term respite care and remains open to potential residents. The care home incorporates plenty of space for hobby and leisure activities, with the building configured into a series of neighbourhoods to facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.