Care home resident Topsy gets Covid jab at the age of 108

By Philippa Davies

27th Jan 2021 | Local News

A 108-year-old resident of a Sidmouth care home could be the oldest person to have received the Covid-19 vaccination.

Gertrude 'Topsy' Hindley had the jab earlier this month at the Doveleigh Care residential home Arcot House, along with all the other residents and the care home staff.

Her nephew, Richard Hindley, told Sidmouth Nub News: "I imagine that Topsy is delighted to receive the vaccine. As for 'probably being the oldest person in the UK to have it', I imagine that if somebody told her that she probably wouldn't be the least bit interested."

He said he was looking forward to the time when he, too, had had the vaccination and developed immunity to Covid: "Hopefully contact will be easier and I shall be able to give her a hug for the first time in 10 months."

Loves dogs, doesn't watch television

Topsy, who has lived at Arcot House for nearly six years, is well-known as an animal lover. She set up the Sidmouth Animal Welfare and Rescue Centre (now known as ARC) in 1972.

She is also known for not being a fan of television. She visited a friend to watch the Queen's coronation in 1953, but has never owned a TV set, and always maintained that the secret to her long life was never watching television.

However, during the pandemic she has enjoyed viewing videos of dogs on YouTube, and videos of herself, made by Doveleigh Care's senior manager, Samantha Evens, and activities co-ordinator, Trevor Hunt.

She has also enjoyed listening to music, a lifelong interest of hers. When she was young she was taught the viola by the renowned conductor and musician Clifford Brown and played in the Sidmouth Orchestra.

Staff 'have worked a miracle' with Topsy

Topsy's nephew Richard is full of praise for the care his aunt has received at Arcot House, right from the start and throughout the pandemic.

He said: "Sam and her marvellous staff have worked a miracle with my aunt. She went to Arcot when she was 102, having been in The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital since January of 2015 and then Sidmouth Hospital, before going to Arcot at the end of February that year.

"On entry to the RD&E, I was told by one of their doctors that my aunt would not see the night through. They could not give her any intravenous medication, just palliative care. She proved them all wrong!

"Eventually I went to Arcot and knew instantly that that was the place for her. Interestingly, she and her father had been foundation donors when the people of Sidmouth decided to convert Arcot House into a Care Home as a war memorial!

"Sam and her staff have provided marvellous care to the point where Aunt Top, as the family know her, is healthier now than when she went there six years ago.

"Sam's initiatives and care as manager and her staff provide wonderful care. They are highly professional, very caring, extremely skilful and very welcoming when I visit.

"I really cannot find the words to express my gratitude for all that they have done for Topsy."