‘Getting on without grumbling’ – 100-year-old Edinburgh care home resident reveals the secret to a l

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Dec 21, 2020

An Edinburgh care home resident has celebrated her 100^th birthday and revealed her secret to living a long and happy life.

Ina Bickerton, from Care UK’s Murrayside, on South Beechwood, marked the impressive milestone on 5^th December, and was joined by residents and team members to toast the special occasion.

Enjoying the special day with a slice of birthday cake and a host of special gifts, the team went above and beyond to ensure Ina enjoyed a celebration like no other, complete with a window visit from family, a champagne toast and a very special card from the Queen.

Attributing her many happy years to ‘getting on with life without grumbling’, Ina said: “I am thrilled to have celebrated my 100^th birthday, and to be surrounded by so many people that love and care about me really is the icing on the cake.

“I’ve always made sure I look after myself and stay healthy, but I think the real secret to living a long life is to get on and enjoy it. I’ve always said, if you cry, you’ll cry alone and if you laugh, the world laughs with you – so you might as well laugh, which is exactly what I do!”

Fran Long, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: “Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Ina’s birthday, and she was particularly pleased to receive her official card from the Queen.

“Here at Murrayside, we always strive to make an occasion of birthdays, and Ina’s 100^th was no different. From decorating her bedroom to enjoying a glass of champagne, we certainly marked the occasion in style!”

Ina, who was born in 1920, was one of five children, and grew up in Edinburgh. Her first job was in a printers, before becoming a bus conductress, which she loved. She met her beloved John, who was a friend of her brother’s, when she was a teenager, and they went on to have many happy years together. Marrying in 1943, the couple had a son, John, and Ina went on to work in silver service and later as a hotel landlady.

Ina loved going to parties, socialising, and dancing to Dean Martin and Tony Bennett. No matter how much she had to drink or what time the festivities ended, she would always find time to put her rollers in before bed.

Ina moved into Murrayside earlier this year, where she enjoys reading and listening to her favourite singer, Frank Sinatra.  She has a daughter-in-law, May, two grandchildren, Colin and Julie, and two great-grandchildren, Michael and Jennifer, who she loves keeping in touch with.

Murrayside care home has been specially designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, and has its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To find out more about Murrayside, please contact Customer Relations Manager, Gillian Gray, on 0131 516 8767, or email gillian.gray@careuk.com      

For more general information, visit www.careuk.com/murrayside