A Century of Living — and 14 Years of Checking In
On 23rd January 2026, Isobel Hammond turned 100 years old. The family celebrated with a birthday lunch at Next Door Beach Bistro in Flagler Beach — one of Isobel's favourite restaurants, run by Chris Marlow. It felt fitting: a family business with British roots (Chris's grandparents ran a pub in London) hosting a centenarian born in Britain, with her sons Colin and Paul who founded Iamfine back in 2012 specifically to keep her safe.
Isobel has used Iamfine every single day since the service launched. That's over 5,000 daily check-ins. Every morning, the automated call comes in at her chosen time. She presses "1" to confirm she's fine, and her sons — one in the UK, one on the west coast — can go about their day knowing Mum is okay.
It's the simplest possible routine: the phone rings, she answers, and her family gets peace of mind. No app to open, no device to charge, no complicated technology. Just a phone call.
A Letter from the King
As part of a longstanding British royal tradition, centenarians receive a congratulatory message from the reigning monarch. Isobel received her letter from King Charles III — a moment of real pride for the whole family.
The tradition dates back to 1917, when King George V sent the first congratulatory telegram to a subject reaching 100. Today, the King's letter office handles thousands of these each year, but each one represents a remarkable life. For Isobel, it was a lovely recognition of a century well lived.
A British Tradition
In the UK, anyone reaching their 100th birthday can receive a congratulatory card from the King. The tradition has been maintained by every monarch since George V, and the number of centenarians receiving cards has increased dramatically — from just a handful in 1917 to over 15,000 per year today.
A Personal Visit from the Vice Mayor
Alongside the letter from the King, Isobel received a personal presentation from Theresa "Carli" Pontieri, Vice Mayor of Palm Coast, Florida, on behalf of the city. Vice Mayor Pontieri joined the family at Next Door Beach Bistro for the birthday lunch to recognize Isobel's milestone — a gesture that meant a great deal to the family.
Vice Mayor Pontieri has served on the Palm Coast City Council since December 2022, representing District 2. An attorney by profession, she is also the longest-serving member of the current council and has been described as one of the most consequential holders of the Vice Mayor title in the city's history. Beyond her council work, she serves as the city's liaison to the Flagler Humane Society — a fitting connection, given that Iamfine also serves pet owners who live alone and want to make sure their animals are cared for if something happens to them.
Community Recognition
Turning 100 is a rare milestone — and Palm Coast made sure Isobel knew her community was celebrating with her. Between the King's letter from across the Atlantic and a personal visit from the Vice Mayor, it was a birthday Isobel and her family won't forget.
Fiercely Independent at 100
Isobel still lives alone. She retired her golf clubs a few years ago, but she remains fiercely independent — managing her own home, making her own decisions, and living life on her own terms.
"Mum still uses Iamfine every single day — she has done for 14 years now. It's the first thing she does each morning. Recently she's also started wearing a Medical Alert device to monitor for falls, but Iamfine remains her daily routine. At 100 years old, she's proof that you can live independently with just a little help from technology."
— The Hammond Family
The combination of Iamfine's daily check-in call with a Medical Alert pendant is a pattern many families adopt. The two services complement each other well: Iamfine provides proactive daily wellness monitoring — confirming each morning that everything is okay — while a Medical Alert device provides reactive emergency response if there's a fall or sudden event.
One doesn't replace the other. A Medical Alert device only helps if you can press the button. Iamfine works the other way around: if you don't respond, your family gets alerted. Together, they cover both scenarios.
Why Isobel's Story Matters
Isobel isn't just our longest-serving user — she's the reason Iamfine exists. Colin and Paul built this service because they were worried about their mum living alone, thousands of miles away. They wanted something simple, reliable, and non-intrusive that would give them daily reassurance without making Isobel feel monitored or managed.
Fourteen years later, that same simple idea helps tens of thousands of people. The technology behind the scenes has evolved enormously, but the core concept hasn't changed: a daily phone call, a simple response, and peace of mind for everyone.
If you're in a similar situation — with a parent, grandparent, or loved one living independently — Isobel's story shows that the simplest solutions often last the longest. No fancy gadgets, no steep learning curve. Just a phone call, every day, at a time they choose.