This is the colourful life story of 100-year-old Emma. The story of a grand old lady who has seen the many ups and downs of life, through adversity and prosperity, and through the many family events of love, joy, success, sadness, disagreements, disputes and unhappiness. It has all the elements of a Greek tragedy as well as all the elements of a British comedy and Italian opera. It encapsulates human idiosyncrasy, human discontent, emotional baggage, and all the dark thoughts of growing old in the modern world.

Her remarkable long life is punctuated by many sombre, funny, heart-breaking, heart-warming and even hilarious stories. It includes the impact of good and bad personal habits, the corrupting effects of a new prosperous life, the development of a self-indulgent lifestyle, the challenge of living in a multi-generational household, and the need for different modes of accommodation at different stages of life. A number of fateful events altered the lives of her family and caused Emma to be disgruntled living in her son's home. She then decided to live separately in a home of her own, but this also has its upsides and downsides and many disturbing and hilarious consequences.

Old Emma's toilet habit became quite obsessive and verging on nocturia. Her occasional bouts of delirium is a typical old age issue. Other health issues include deteriorating hearing and signs of early dementia.

With her declining health status and mobility, the most difficult decision to be made was to consider the option of a nursing home for Emma. There were many arguments within the family concerning the pros and cons of own home versus nursing home. But the eventual decision was in favour of the nursing home. This has been carefully planned and achieved, and has led to a new phase of life of order and contentment for Emma who has happily embraced it. Her family was delighted that she adjusted to her more regimented and orderly new lifestyle happily, and was enjoying all the professional care, services and benefits of the nursing home. Centenarian Emma is really growing old gracefully!

.