“AS SOON AS I STEPPED FOOT INSIDE LANDALE COURT I KNEW I’D COME HOME”

“There’s always someone to chat to here and everyone is so friendly and supportive. You never know what life may throw at you, but I’m embracing everything on offer here at Landale Court and I am finding life much more fulfilling now I live within this beautiful community. Landale Court is close to where I was born so I guess it feels like I’ve come home again.”

Growing up, Pat’s parents and grandparents had links to farming, and he studied for a degree in agriculture at Aberdeen University – he then moved to London and gained a PG qualification in plant physiology from the Imperial College in London. Following his time in education, Pat married and moved to Yorkshire where he gained employment with a company that manufactured agricultural chemicals. He stayed there for five years and during this time his first son was born.

Pat continues: “We loved living in Yorkshire, but family were keen for us to move back to Scotland – especially with grandchildren on the scene! I found a job at the agricultural college, and we moved back, I worked my way up to Senior Tutor until retirement.

“My family expanded over the years, and I have two sons – one is now retired from the navy and the other a financial advisor, I also have two stepsons – one lives in Oregan and is a colour chemist, and the other an engineer at Land Rover in the Midlands. I’m also a proud grandad to eight grandchildren.”

Expanding on his love of his family, Pat also shared how the devastating deterioration of his wife’s health prompted him to move to Landale Court. He continued: “My wife has severe Dementia, and 18 months ago she had to move into a care home. You try your utmost, but I had become utterly exhausted, and my health began to suffer – it’s a very difficult decision to make but she’s ever so well looked after. Unfortunately, her Dementia is at the stage where she can no longer communicate – but I know she’s happy as, although she no longer recognises me, she smiles and giggles each time I’m with her.”

Pat admits he struggled with loneliness without his wife and didn’t enjoy living alone. That’s when he decided to move to a community with other like-minded people who enjoy their independence with the security of care packages available for if or when they are ever needed.

“Landale Court has it all” continues Pat. “I’ll be 80 in May, but I feel younger than I have done for a long time. I love my home here and enjoy the space of the three-bedroom house I chose within beautiful Phase 2 here. I’ve moved from a three-bedroom bungalow so was keen to have one spare room as a study and one spare room for family to stay. I’m lucky that my youngest son, daughter in law and grandchildren live just 20 miles away – I really enjoy baby-sitting, and they certainly look after me too! The rest of our family is spread all over the world, but we have a family Facetime every Sunday which is so lovely for us all to catch up and hear each other’s news.

“I’m also lucky to have lots of friends that live locally – I moved from a village where I was heavily involved with five organisations! Looking back, I now realise it was quite a task, and I enjoy not having so much responsibility whilst keeping my very good friends who I enjoy meeting up with for dinner frequently. It’s nice to take your foot off the gas sometimes!”

Pat knew immediately that Landale Court was where he wanted to put down roots, as he shares: “From the moment I stepped foot into Landale Court I knew I had to move here! The team is so welcoming and eager to help. The entire place is so relaxing because everyone is so easy going – nothing is too much trouble … a very different experience from other retirement developments I’d viewed previously! 

“I put my house on the market, and it sold within a fortnight. I was keen to get moved in and it was made a very enjoyable experience due to the team here at Landale Court. I moved here with my long-term head on – thinking I may need input in the future, but for now I’m very independent and plan to stay that way! It’s also peace of mind for my kids too – knowing support can be on my doorstep within minutes if I ever need it. We all feel much more content and that’s how life should feel.”

Since moving to Landale Court, Pat has made even more friends by attending the coffee mornings, joining the men’s social group and attending events put on by the team here. “I really enjoyed the recent quiz night and a fabulous Spanish night too” shared Pat. “I’m building up relationships with others in the community which is really great. I’m also planning to join the gardening club this spring which will be another opportunity to meet more people.

“I must conclude by saying how delighted I am to be here – the staff are just wonderful and go out of their way each and every day to make life here so easy and enjoyable. I had a small trip a little while ago and the team were amazing – attending to me immediately and they came to check the bump on my knee the next day too. I really can’t express how appreciative I am of all they do – everyone is so jolly and it’s a pleasure to be in their company. Our General Manager Morag and her entire team are just superb. I genuinely cannot recommend Landale Court highly enough to anyone. I’m very, very happy I came home.”