It’s 100 years young for Iris at Abbeyfield House

Over 40 members of Iris’s family, friends and Abbeyfield staff joined her to celebrate the significant milestone.

Mrs Hamill has been a resident of the Abbeyfield House in Lurgan since 2003.

When asked what factors she believes helped her to live to 100 she replied, “I would have to say that plain food, plain meat and keeping busy are some of the staple things in my life which I feel have contributed to me reaching the age of 100.

“As well as watching the type of food that you eat, I think it’s very important to keep active.

“I really enjoy helping others and where I can contribute to tasks, or help the staff prepare for meals, I take the opportunity to do so.

“Another aspect which I feel contributes to my overall wellbeing is the friendship and conversation that comes from having daily interactions with the other residents.

“I also enjoy having some quiet time to read my bible.”

Congratulating Iris on her 100th birthday, Helen Collins, Abbeyfield’s Area Manager said:

“Iris is originally from Lurgan and has been an Abbeyfield resident for the last nine years.

“During this period of time, our staff have got to know Iris and her family quite well, and we are all truly delighted and honoured to be a part of her 100th birthday celebrations.

“Iris lived in America for 11 years after she got married and worked in a kitchenware shop there, so she has a lot of interesting stories to share with other residents.

“It is really interesting to learn from other people’s experiences, for example, Iris travelled to America by boat and came home by boat as she doesn’t like flying.”

Helen continued: “Iris is a very engaging resident. Her enthusiasm to help staff and other residents creates a very positive atmosphere.”

Abbeyfield is a charity providing supported sheltered housing for older people in comfortable, family-style accommodation for seven to ten residents.

Abbeyfield Lurgan is part of the Abbeyfield UK (NI) group that was last year voted one of the UK’s best sheltered housing schemes.

The organisation scooped the silver award in the “Best UK Retirement Housing Scheme (under 30 units)” category at the 2011 National Housing for Older People Awards. Run by the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC), the awards recognise specialist housing schemes which are the best in their field.

For further information on Abbeyfield contact Abbeyfield’s Head Office on 028 9036 5081, email [email protected] or log onto www.abbeyfieldni.org