104-year-old Horley care home resident shares the secret to a long life

 

A 104-year-old Horley care home resident has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.

Joyce Frogley, a resident at Care UK’s Amherst House, on Court Lodge Road, celebrated her 104^th birthday with her family, residents, and team members.

To help make Joyce’s birthday one to remember, the team threw her a special party complete with a delicious birthday cake specially made by the home’s talented Head Chef – which everyone enjoyed with a glass of sherry, something Joyce credits for her long life.

Joyce was born on 10^th January 1921, and grew up in Leytonston, Essex. Joyce married her husband Robert in 1941, aged 20, and later relocated to Scotland for a year to o join him on a temporary military posting, before settling in Horley, Surrey.  

Together, the couple had two children, Marion and Roger, who went on to bring four grandchildren into the family, Neve, Jessica, Katie and Bella, and they all often visit Joyce at Amherst House.

At the start of her career, Joyce worked for Admiralty in London, a government department responsible for the command of the Royal Navy.. In her spare time, Joyce was a keen bowls player and a regular at the Horley Bowls Club, where she was a member for 50 years. Joyce also has a love of embroidery—a hobby that she continues to enjoy at Amherst House. 

Reflecting on her many happy years, Joyce revealed the secret to living a long life, saying it was “A glass of Sherry every day and the joy and love of a marvellous husband and family - sometimes it’s potluck who you choose, but I got very lucky!”

Cristina Cristea, Home Manager at Amherst House, said: “Here at Amherst House, we love to throw a party for special occasions – and Joyce’s 104^th birthday certainly called for a celebration!

“It was wonderful to see Joyce surrounded by all her loved ones to mark such an incredible milestone. The team worked really hard to make sure her day was one to remember, and we would like to thank everyone who came along to raise a glass of sherry to Joyce!”

Amherst House has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives in a luxury environment. The home provides full-time residential, nursing, and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care, and has its own cinema room, café and hair and beauty salon.