Widow falls in love again in care home at age of 95

Elsie Bradbury, 95, has proved it is never too late to fall in love by getting engaged to a fellow care home resident, 20 years younger.

The pair met at Care UK’s Broadwater Lodge care home in Surrey at the beginning of last year.

Seventy-five-year-old Tony Frogley moved to the home following a long stay in hospital. At first, he preferred to spend his time alone in his room as he didn’t think he would have much in common with the other residents. But then staff at the home eventually persuaded him to venture out of his room to one of the sunny lounges overlooking a garden where he was introduced to Elsie, who had been living in the home for two years.

Within a few days the care home team noticed Elsie and Tony deep in conversation and within weeks they had become inseparable.

Care home manager Angie Bookham said: “Elsie has a wicked sense of humour and I think she was just the tonic Tony needed after he had been poorly for so long. Several times I walked into the lounge and saw them holding hands and giggling like teenagers so I knew they were growing very close.”

However even the care home staff were surprised when the couple announced they had decided to get engaged and asked for help choosing rings and to arrange an engagement party for their family and friends.

Elsie, who married in 1942 and has three children, said: “I never thought I would fall in love again at my age.”

Tony who has been a bachelor all his life, said he would be lost without Elsie and added: “I like kissing Elsie. I kiss her several times a day.”

Broadwater Lodge care home in Surrey recently won Best Dementia Team at the National Dementia Care Awards for the care and support it provides to those residents with dementia. It is home to around 65 older people and also offers a day club for people in the surrounding community.

click here for more details or to contact Broadwater Lodge