Active retirement community

“My relationship with my children is a happy one.”

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26th May Communities

Originally from Denton in Greater Manchester, Anne gained a Degree in Physics at UCL and enjoyed an electrical engineering career with the Research Department at Metropolitan-Vickers. Later she edited an international journal of electrical engineering education at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) from 1975 to 1998.

In 1985 Anne and her husband Alan moved to Eyam.

“I spent 35 very happy years there with a big garden, hens to look after and when Alan was well, we did lots of travelling. We loved visiting Greece. I could go for walks and Alan was always very happy chatting with the locals outside the taverna, in fact he learnt quite a bit of Greek. Sadly, Alan died seven years ago after a few years suffering from Alzheimer’s.”

Anne continued to live in their family home in Eyam before deciding to move to Jacobs Gate in Sheffield.

“I managed on my own for quite a while, but I wanted to take charge of my life. I could have moved in with one of my children, but it would have become a matter of Grandma sitting on the settee and waiting for things to happen…and I’m not quite ready for that. I’m not sure I ever will be! I wanted to keep my independence and also to keep my relationship with my children a happy one, which it is. Now we enjoy the time that we spend together.”

“The day I moved in I sat out on my balcony and thought this is absolute bliss.”

Coming from a medical background, homeowner Joyce has always been very practical about potentially needing additional care at some point in the future.

“I had always thought I would move home in the future but when I came to look at Adlington I thought this is the future. The day I moved in I sat out on my balcony and thought this is absolute bliss – and I have never stopped thinking that.

“I faced the fact that this is the last move of my life. Having experienced how my husband went downhill so quickly, I looked into the care options when I chose to move here. I think that is paramount in any older person’s life now. It was very important to me that I can move in now, when I don’t need any care or additional support, but it’s available if there is a time when I need that.

“I think the overriding point that I would like to make is not to leave it too late. To do it whilst you’re able. No matter what stage of life, moving to a retirement living community will be a major decision. Our parents were always saving for a rainy day. The most important thing is to recognise your rainy day!”

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