Prince Charles: 'Having reached this age I understand' what caring for elderly is 'all about'

Prince Charles, who has just celebrated his 68th birthday, hosted a reception at St James's Palace for care home provider, Abbeyfield Society, saying "having reached the age I have, I begin to understand exactly" what caring for the elderly is "all about".

Nearly 200 people attended the reception, including Welsh singer Aled Jones, who is also a patron of the charity.

The guests joined Aled Jones in singing Happy Birthday both to Prince Charles and to Abbeyfield Society which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

At the reception, Prince Charles, who has been patron of the charity for 37 years, spoke with staff, volunteers and residents.

Following this, he made a speech praising care home staff and volunteers for doing such a good job and thanked the charity for putting up with him for “this long”.

He added: “It's been for me an enormous pleasure to be your patron for 37 years, which I discovered to my horror this morning.”

He called Abbeyfield’s work “one of the great examples of how elderly people can be cared for” and said “thank goodness you're there to do exactly that. I hope there will be many, many more years of even greater success in looking after elderly people. Having reached the age I have, I begin to understand exactly what it's all about.”

Abbeyfield Society was founded in 1956 by Richard Carr Gomm, an army officer who left his career in the army to spend his life helping lonely, older people.

The charity which started with a care home in Bermondsey in London, now has over 60 care homes as well as supported housing and independent living with extra care.

The charity recently launched a new initiative called Golden Moments, to combat the loneliness felt by older people in the community, through events and activities such as trips to National Trust gardens and chats over tea and cake.

Abbeyfield chief executive Natasha Singarayer, spoke at the reception thanking Prince Charles for his support over the decades.

After the event, she said: “It is time to generate possibilities for older people across the country which is why we have created Golden Moments. And what could be a greater ‘Golden Moment’ for us all to treasure than hearing Aled singing Happy Birthday to His Royal Highness and Abbeyfield.

“At Abbeyfield we champion optimism in later life, which is what Golden Moments encapsulates. It is about providing activities and events to look forward to, allowing older people to join with others to share fun, food and laughter and to try new things. We recognise the important health benefits that social opportunities and friendship bring.

“Through our Golden Moments campaign we want to provide even more inclusive opportunities with businesses, communities, schools and volunteers while remaining true to Abbeyfield’s founding ethos of alleviating loneliness and isolation so together, we can position older age as a time to be cherished and a time for optimism.”