91-Year-Old ‘Graduate’ Celebrates Success At Local Care Home

Staff and residents at Milford House care home in Belper have thrown a ‘graduation’ party to celebrate one of their residents returning home following rehabilitation at Milford House.

Ex-headteacher, Maurice Shenton (91), came to Milford House for rehabilitation on Christmas Eve, following a fall outside which left him unable care for himself due to a fragmented fracture to his arm, fractured skull and broken eye socket.

Before retiring, Maurice was the headteacher of Beaufort Primary School in Derby which gave Milford Care the idea to throw him a surprise ‘graduation’ tea party which included cake, balloons and a graduation certificate presentation to mark the occasion.

After his stay in hospital, Maurice came to Milford House, where he was unable to feed himself due to his arm being in a cast and sling for eight weeks. Once he had his cast removed, Maurice then had to undergo a program of physio and rehabilitation at Milford Care to allow him to be able to use it again.

Maurice, who’s wife sadly passed away nine years ago, is now well enough to go home and live independently thanks to the care he has received at Milford House.

“Whatever life throws at me, I do my best to get on with it. There’s no point sitting and moaning.” said Maurice.

“It’s been a struggle to get me and my arm right and I am really grateful to everyone who has helped me at Milford House. Everything has come into place, I’ve had lots of attention from the staff here as well as the NHS physio, and they have all done wonders.”

Maurice has enjoyed taking part into the activities at Milford House during his stay, from chair aerobics and zumba to planting bulbs and music sessions – all have helped him get back on his feet following his accident.

Vicky Layton, activities co-ordinator at Milford House said: “We will be really sad to see Maurice go, he has been a real character here. He has done so well with his treatment and is always there with a smile, pushing himself to get back to where he is now.”

Maurice explained that despite the circumstances, he has enjoyed his stay at Milford House, “All together Milford House is a very good place to be. The staff and residents are all friendly and the meals are fantastic! You usually hear complaints about the food in the care sector, so I was very pleased to find that I have enjoyed everything I have been served here.”

“The care is excellent and there is a real sense of community – just look at what they have done today for me, I even have a graduation certificate!”

Sheila Barwick, care home manager: “It’s been a pleasure having Maurice stay and we wish him the best of luck. It has been really great to see his progress over the last four months whilst he has been staying with us and it’s fantastic that he is now in a position to get back to his own home.”

Recently refurbished, Milford House is part of the Milford Care Group, offering exceptional care within a beautiful grade II listed Georgian manor house close to Duffield and Belper.

Photo: Sheila Barwick, care home manager and Maurice Shenton