Tony is almost 90 and is in good health, despite having being diagnosed with Alzheimers. He lives alone and is a bachelor, which means he relies on his wider support network to keep him occupied.
Jeff and Tony have been friends for nearly 40 years. Jeff was married to Tony’s niece and due to their mutual interests and love of nature, have become life-long friends. Tony has a large collection of foreign sea shells which he gifted to Jeff and he once grew a greenhouse full of orchids!
Jeff’s friendship with Tony means he has also taken on the role as informal carer to him and he helps him with shopping, bringing food and supplies and checks in on him when he can. Tony also has carers from Manor Court care providers, who visit three times a day.
When he was younger, Tony lived an active life and spent three years in the army as a driver to some of the UKs top civil servants, secret service agents and military personnel. He recalls driving the General to the Queen’s coronation in 1953 as one of his career highlights. After leaving the military, he worked as handyman, taking on different jobs and relishing change. He retired after working for the MOD in Lakenheath and said he has loved every minute of all his work.
Jeff says:
"Tony is the most amazing man you will ever meet. He had the most active life, teaching himself Latin and learning to paint – with exceptional precision. He has always loved helping people, and when he retired, he spent thousands of hours helping out the local school with their garden and volunteering in the community.
"All he likes to do now is talk to people and tell them his stories – and there are so many. The Video Carephone is great as it give him the opportunity to do this.Tony did not use technology before, and wasn’t a fan - including television and telephones. He was very reluctant to receive a Video Carephone. But he absolutely loves his device now."
During lockdown Jeff used to take his dogs out for a walk and called Tony on his Carephone to see the outside world and also to show him some of the places he used to visit.
Tony says:
"The device really helped me during lockdown as the days were so very long – especially for someone like me. I have always been active and it was difficult for me. So being able to see and talk to Jeff was a life saver, and to bring a bit of the outside world in. I have to say, Jeff is my anchor and I now can speak to him and see him every day."