Elderly 'agony aunts' share romantic tips for young

Loved-up couples living in care homes across the UK have some romantic advice for younger generations this Valentine’s Day.

The care home couples may be new to being ‘agony aunts’ but hope their experience of married life will help young couples have a happy and long relationship.

John Eadie, aged 78, has been married to Maureen for 38 years and believes the secret to their happiness is to “love each other every day”.

Mr Eadie, who lives with Maureen at Anchor’s Berkeley Court in Leeds, said: “It’s been wonderful being with Maureen every day. My advice to young couples for a long and happy relationship would be to be loyal to each other and show your wife or husband how much you love each other. Don’t ever take them for granted.”

Give him ‘a slap around the ear’

No less than five couples living at Sutton Valence Care Home in Maidstone are celebrating their enduring love, as each have been together for more than 60 years. Having passed their diamond wedding anniversary, the couples have a combined total married life of 328 years.

John Unsworth has been married to Dorothy for 68 years but believes relationships require “honesty” and Dorothy adds “being faithful”.

Barry and Marie Boulton first met while walking along a country lane, after which Barry wrote Marie a note asking for a date. Marie and Barry agree couples must “compromise and respect each other’s views.”

Geoff Wells has been with Mary for 65 years. Geoff says the secret to their lasting relationship is “luck”. But according to Mary, keeping her man keen means “giving him a slap around the ear”.

Roy and Phyllis Harman met at a youth club in Wigmore. Roy has a more opinion on what is needed for longevity in love. If you want a happy relationship, he says “always kiss her goodnight”.

'Don’t worry, be happy'

Another couple has their own lessons in love this Valentine’s Day – as it will be the 61st time they celebrate February 14 together. The pair are spending this Valentine’s Day at Edinburgh’s care home, Cramond Residence, where they have both lived since October last year.

Douglas Bell aged 93 and his wife Olive, 88, say people of all ages should know the secret to a lasting love is: "Don’t worry, be happy".

Douglas and Olive first set eyes on each other in 1958 when Douglas, a GP, was called out to a care home she worked in. He had tickets for the Scotland rugby match that day and was annoyed to be called out last minute and miss the game.

Sweet talker: Douglas offered Olive Jelly Babies

But when the doctor arrived at the care home, he met the care home’s deputy matron Olive and his mood changed. Douglas attempted to flirt with Olive by telling her jokes and offering her a bag of Jelly Babies.

At the time, he needed help with decorating his newly-bought cottage and asked Olive if she would help. Luckily she agreed.

A few months later, Douglas took Olive to a rugby match, where he got down on one knee and proposed. They say that the key to a successful relationship is to try not to worry so much, and focus on being happy with one another. The pair have three children together and 10 grandchildren.

Eileen Gray, general manager of Cramond Residence, said: “It’s so wonderful to see them together. They are still very much devoted to each other.

“Douglas is very attentive and is always taking care of Olive. It’s lovely to have such a real example of true love with us at the home on Valentine’s Day.”

Crafty love: Edmund keeps love alive with crochet

After Margaret Peace was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she needed 24-hour care, and moved into a household at Belong Warrington. But the move meant her husband Edmund Peace had to take a 10-mile round bus trip to visit her.

This problem was solved when an apartment there became available and Edmund took up residence to be with her every day. While his wife gets the care she needs, he maintains the gardens and flower beds in the village.

But he has shown just how much he loves Margaret by turning his hand to crochet to make her several cloth rabbits.

He says of their life together: “It’s the best thing that could have happened. I love my apartment, and Margaret receives the care she needs, while I can see her anytime. He added they are now able to “spend time together”.

A spokesman for care group Belong Warrington said such accommodation is "conducive to avoiding situations where one person in a couple requires long-term care and risks being separated from their partner as a result."

80-somethings nervous about tying the knot

Socialising in care homes can also spark many new romances. Gordon Smith, aged 86, and his fiancée 84-year-old Anne-Marie Sullivan both feel like they are living their twenties again after meeting at their care home and falling in love.

But the couple admit they are starting to get a bit nervous about tying the knot.

The pair are celebrating their engagement with friends and staff at Scarborough Hall Care Home in Scarborough. They have been living in the care home for just over a year.

Gordon and Anne-Marie began spending time together about 10 months ago, after they sat at the same table for lunch one day and struck up a conversation.

The engaged couple have this advice: "Finding one another later in life makes us appreciate the time we have to spend together is precious."

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