“Enjoy a healthy diet – but enjoy chocolate more!” Harrow care home resident shares secret to long life on her 100th birthday

A resident at a care home in Harrow celebrated her 100^th birthday with a very special party. 

A celebration took place at Care UK’s Buchanan Court, on Sudbury Hill, when resident Denise Jackson turned 100 years ‘young’ on 13^th June.

For Denise’s milestone birthday, the home team organised an afternoon tea party, surrounded by her friends at Buchanan Court, and complete with balloons, banners and a special birthday cake, baked by the home’s talented Head Chef, for everyone to enjoy.  

Commenting on her secret to reaching 100, Denise said: “Enjoy a healthy diet – but enjoy chocolate and sweets more! Being kind to others and not arguing is the key to happiness – life’s too short!”

Denise was born on 13^th June 1923 in Hertford. An only child, Denise grew up in Norwich after her parents moved there when she was a baby. After leaving school, Denise started her career at the Ministry of Agriculture, but was forced to put this on pause and join the war effort during World War Two, leading her to join the women’s section of the Royal Navy as a Wren. 

Passionate about sport, Denise enjoyed many years as a tennis player and often played in tournaments around Norfolk. Today, she continues to enjoy the sport by regularly watching tennis tournaments, especially Wimbledon which has always been her favourite. 

Denise has a daughter, Melissa, and two grandsons, Sam and Louis, who often visit Denise at Buchanan Court and take part in the home’s intergenerational activities. 

Esther Oluwatosin Adams, Home Manager at Buchanan Court, said: “It was fantastic to help Denise celebrate her incredible milestone with her friends and family here at Buchanan Court. 

“Here at Buchanan Court, everything we do is focused on our ethos of ensuring residents live active and fulfilling lives, so we always like to celebrate important milestones – and Denise’s 100^th birthday was no exception. It was lovely to raise a glass together on her special day and celebrate the day in style with her extended family here at Buchanan Court.”

Buchanan Court provides full-time residential and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the care home has its very own bar and hair salon, and there is plenty of space both in and outdoors for relaxation and recreation.

For more information on Buchanan Court or to book your place at the event, contact Customer Relations Manager, Lorelei Shepherd, on 020 3504 7077, or email lorelei.shepherd@careuk.com

For more general information, visit careuk.com/buchanan-court