Kingston Vale resident reveals the secret to a long life on 107th birthday

Home news

Dec 09, 2020

A resident at a care home in Kingston Vale has shared her secret for living a long and happy life on her 107^th birthday.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Sherwood Grange, on Robin Hood Lane, when resident Julia Tico turned 107 years ‘young’ on 28^th November. To mark the occasion, Julia revealed her secret was to eat ‘good and simple’ food, and to not drink too much alcohol.

On her birthday this year, there was a special cake baked by the home’s head chef and everyone raised a glass of bubbly to mark the occasion.

Julia was born on 28^th November 1913, with her twin brother, Ettore, in Paddington, London, to Italian parents. She always enjoyed sewing and embroidery, often making her own clothes and hats, and went on to work as a dressmaker. She continued in the job she loved right into her seventies.

Julia had a strong relationship with her twin brother, living together for much of their lives and only being separated when he was called up during the war. They both shared a passion for gardening, with Julia growing indoor plants, including African violets and orchids. The twins also enjoyed many happy holidays to Lake Maggiore in Italy together, where they visited friends and family.

Rick Mayne, Home Manager at Sherwood Grange, said: “Julia is a well-loved resident at Sherwood Grange, and it was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible milestone with her friends here at the care home. She is a very happy, sociable person, and enjoys chatting with the team members and other residents.

“Here at Sherwood Grange, 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 Julia’s 107^th birthday was no exception. It was lovely to raise a glass to Julia on her special day.”

Sherwood Grange is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own cinema and hair salon, and there is plenty of space, both indoors and out, for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about Sherwood Grange please contact Tracey Fountain, Customer Relations Manager, at tracey.fountain@careuk.com or call 020 4502 8956.

For more general information, please visit: careuk.com/sherwood-grange