Residents at Cleveland Manor Retirement Village are proving age is no barrier when it comes to a healthy and happy lifestyle, with the community hosting a special group birthday celebration for a wave of residents turning 90 years and above this year.
Ten residents are celebrating their 90th birthday in 2019, with another 11 residents having already passed the significant birthday milestone to be revelling in their last decade before hitting their centenary celebrations.
Around 60 people turned out for the combined birthday celebration on Wednesday, June 19, enjoying a high tea and a huge birthday cake homemade by members of the local Capalaba Uniting Church Caterers.
Cleveland Manor Village Manager Tina Saunders said the event was a celebration of friendship, good health and wellbeing, and the positives of ageing.
“We were delighted to host this very special celebration for our residents and it was wonderful to see the smiles, laughter and community spirit which is a daily part of life at Cleveland Manor,” Ms Saunders said.
“Many of those celebrating on the day have been residents for 20 years and are still enjoying an active, fulfilling lifestyle.
“We know that living in a retirement village can have a positive impact on the health and social wellbeing of residents and we see that reflected in our community, from our youngest residents in their 70s to our 90-somethings.”
Cleveland Manor resident Glenda, 92, has been playing canasta with her friend Marj every week at Cleveland Manor for 21 years and credits her longevity to living in the retirement village.
“It’s just an amazing lifestyle at this stage of life. I don’t think I’d still be here if I lived in suburbia,” Glenda said.
Fellow resident Nick, who turned 90 in January, still studies philosophy and said the village gave residents a sense of belonging and helped them realise that there is life beyond 90.
“Our lives are inextricably entwined with the lives of those around us and it’s nice to be in a place like Cleveland Manor with security and friendliness that makes it all worthwhile,” he said.
“There’s a feeling of belonging. You can’t put a price on it.”
Resident Betty also turned 90 in January and, during her speech at the birthday celebration, praised the organisers, saying the event “couldn’t be improved to any degree”.
“This is a wonderful group in this village, we’re so privileged to be living here amongst such wonderful people,” Betty said.
Cleveland Manor is a popular pet-friendly retirement village conveniently located within walking distance of shops and cafes, and close to Redland Hospital and Raby Bay.
The village hosts a range of regular events and activities for residents, including happy hours, fish and chip nights, dancing, shopping trips and monthly dinners.
A range of spacious one, two and three-bedroom independent living villas are currently available, with each featuring a courtyard, secure car parking and age-friendly designs.
Cleveland Manor residents’ secrets to a long, healthy life:
Glenda, 92: “I think getting into a good retirement village perhaps helps.”
Alan, 92: “The atmosphere of the place has a lot to do with it.’
Marj, 91: “I’m a great believer in fruit and veggies.”
Betty, 90: ‘I think that the security that we know here certainly helps us to avoid stress and tension.”
Patricia, 91: “I do enjoy a brandy every night with dry.”
To find out more about Cleveland Manor, click here.
