100-year-old Edinburgh veteran reveals the secret to a long life

Highlighted home news

Jun 29, 2021

An Edinburgh care home resident has celebrated his 100^th birthday, revealing the secret to a long and happy life.

Royal Air Force Veteran, Albert Hodson, from Care UK’s Cairdean House, on Redford Road, marked the impressive milestone on 16^th June, with a birthday cake baked by the home’s chef, a card from the Queen – and a very special salute from the RAF Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Branch, who popped by to celebrate the occasion.

Raising a glass to his centenarian status, Albert said: “It feels wonderful to have reached 100, and to receive a special visit from the RAF really was the icing on the cake.”

“I think the secret to a long and happy life is simply the luck of the draw! Although I do keep active and laugh a lot too, which helps.”

Gillian Goodall, Home Manager at Cairdean House, added: “Everyone had a brilliant time celebrating Albert’s 100^th birthday, and we were all incredibly excited when the members of RAF Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders Branch surprised him with a salute on his special day.”

“Here at Cairdean House, we always strive to make an occasion of birthdays, whether that’s baking a big birthday cake, decorating the home, or organising a surprise we know residents will enjoy. It was wonderful to see the smile on Albert’s face when members of the RAF came along to personally wish him a happy birthday – it made the day even more special for us all.”

Albert, who was born in 1921, grew up and lived most of his life in Manchester. After leaving school, Albert started his working life as an office boy, before leaving to join the RAF at the beginning of the Second World War.

Whilst serving in the RAF, Albert spent much of his time touring in Burma, and remembers hearing about Victory in Europe Day while in the Burmese Jungle. While he was away, Albert’s father played cupid for his son with a local girl, who Albert fell in love with upon his return and later married in 1948. Albert became a headmaster at Roundthorn Primary School in Oldham, and went on to have a daughter.

Albert moved to Edinburgh and into Cairdean House in April, to live closer to his daughter. Living at Cairdean House, Albert enjoys socialising with fellow residents and reminiscing over a tipple at the home’s Gentleman’s club. As well as regular visits from his daughter and son-in-law, he also loves to keep in touch with his two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.

Cairdean House is a modern care home which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable the 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.

For more information on Cairdean House, please call Customer Relations Manager, Leona Thomson, on 0131 516 8460, or email leona.thomson@careuk.com

For general information, please visit: careuk.com/care-homes/cairdean-house