Waterlooville care home resident, 107, reveals secret to long life

A 107-year-old Waterlooville care home resident has given her advice for living a long and happy life – and it might just save your bacon.

Dorothy Creighton, who lives at Care UK’s Pear Tree Court on Portsmouth Road in Horndean, shared her unusual secret while celebrating another milestone birthday with those nearest and dearest to her. 

The team marked Dorothy’s special occasion with a surprise party, decorating the home with balloons and banners and providing a cake prepared by the home’s head chef.

Dorothy had a wonderful time surrounded by friends and family – and even shared some words of wisdom.

She said: “The secret to a long and happy life is to have a good man, a good family and to keep everyone around me on their toes.

“Also, I can’t live without my bacon and eggs every morning, or my jelly babies!”

Dorothy was born in Bristol and grew up as a bit of a tomboy, spending her time playing football with the boys. 

Her first job was as a hairdresser, but when the second world war broke out, Dorothy joined the Women’s Land Army, where she met her soon-to-be husband. The couple went on to raise two daughters and a son, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dorothy moved into Pear Tree Court in 2023 and enjoys chatting to everyone around her and regularly visiting the home’s coffee shop and, of course, sweet cart. 

Aimee Sparks, Home Manager at Pear Tree Court, said: “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Dorothy. As a much-loved resident, it was wonderful to mark this tremendous milestone with her. 

“Here at the home, everything we do centres around our ethos of ensuring residents lead active and fulfilling lives – and Dorothy’s 107th birthday celebration was no exception.

“It was lovely to see how happy she was to be surrounded by those closest to her on her special day.”

Pear Tree Court is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. It has its own cinema, pub and hair and beauty salon, and boasts plenty of space indoors and out for relaxation and recreation.