“Laugh every day!” – 101-year-old Sidcup care home resident shares the secret to a long life

A 101-year-old Sidcup care home resident has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.

A very special birthday celebration took place at Care UK’s Smyth Lodge, on Frognal Avenue, when resident Eileen Chapman, turned 101 years ‘young’. 

Reflecting on her many happy years, she revealed the secret to a long life is “laugh every day – morning, noon and night!”.

To celebrate, the care home team decorated the lounge with balloons and banners, and the home’s talented head chef baked a special birthday cake for everyone to enjoy at a surprise afternoon tea party in the home’s lounge with her family and friends. 

Eileen was born on 26^th July 1922 in Woolwich. After finishing school, Eileen worked as an ambulance driver where she helped transport injured soldiers and members of the community to hospital during World War Two. 

Passionate about knitting and music throughout her life, Eileen often knits in the home’s lounge to her favourite music, Matt Monro and The Rat Pack. 

Eileen has two daughters, one son, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild – who regularly visit Eileen at the home.

Tracey Cheeseman, Home Manager at Smyth Lodge, said: “Here at Smyth Lodge, we always like to throw a party for special milestones – and Eileen’s 101^st birthday certainly called for a celebration!

“It was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible achievement with her family and friends here at Smyth Lodge with a surprise afternoon tea party, and to raise a glass to her wonderful 101 years – cheers to Eileen!”   

For more information on Smyth Lodge, contact Customer Relations Manager, Rebecca Wheeler, on 0333 3053 474, email rebecca.wheeler@careuk.com or visit careuk.com/smyth-lodge 

Smyth Lodge has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The state-of-the-art care home, which opened in 2019, provides full-time residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, and features a cinema, hair salon and activities room.