LOVE IS in the air at the Royal Star and Garter.
The charity has a proud history of caring for couples who have spent a lifetime with each other and can remain together in older age – even on Valentine’s Day.
The Tudor Coppice home cares for veterans and their loved ones with disability or dementia and can see couples split up as they need different levels of care.
It in here where the home steps up to help the couples to spend time together as much as possible.
Ellena Whatley has been regularly visiting her husband Peter at Solihull since he became a resident in October 2022.
He served in the Army and is now living with dementia.
Staff at the Home provided a special lunch for the couple last summer when they celebrated their anniversary.
Ellena, 86, said: “Peter’s face lights up when I come to visit, so I take it that he gets a lot of pleasure from my visits.
“And they mean a lot to me too. If the weather is nice we take a walk to the park and have a coffee or tea.
“I visit him at least twice a week, his children come regularly and so do his grandchildren. I think the visits are essential in keeping him connected and in touch with his family.”
Director of care and wellbeing, Shirley Hall, said: “After a lifetime of love and happiness together, couples don’t want to be separated, so we welcome partners and encourage them to visit as often as they want. Our Home is their home and they are part of the Royal Star and Garter family.”
