Author Archives: john graham

“Dignity Be Damned ” 3

Posted on March 15, 2012 by john graham

Click on this topic in the TAG CLOUD for the earlier blogs on this subject. The title of this blog was a response two years ago to the Government’s focus on “dignity”.  No-one could possibly disagree that elderly people are … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, N.H.S. | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Princethorpe Court” 3

Posted on March 13, 2012 by john graham

For earlier stories on this subject, look up “PRINCETHORPE COURT STORY” in the TAG CLOUD. The Design This section is not intended to be a design brief, I just want to illustrate how the concept we were developing permeated through … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged | 1 Comment

Tommy Blogtoons on the Postal Service

Posted on March 11, 2012 by john graham

Since the GrumbleSmiles blog was started, we have been illustrating some of the posts with cartoons.  This is the second post in building a gallery of all the blogtoons. I’ve written a series of posts on the virtues of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ABOUT GRUMBLESMILES | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Dignity Be Damned 2”

Posted on March 8, 2012 by john graham

TWO YEARS AGO I wrote a blog called “Dignity be Damned” in response to a report extolling the virtues of a then new initiative.   (See it by clicking on the ARCHIVE April 2010). The trumpeted campaign was led by the … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, N.H.S. | Tagged | 3 Comments

“Princethorpe Court” 2

Posted on March 6, 2012 by john graham

For the first story on this subject, look up “PRINCETHORPE COURT STORY” in the TAG CLOUD. Looking back, there were four key elements to the story and although they only clearly emerge with hindsight, they are perhaps the essential ingredients … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Southern Dis-Comfort”

Posted on March 4, 2012 by john graham

It was only a few weeks ago that I was writing what I hoped might be the final chapter in the story of the plight of Southern Cross’s 130,000 elderly residents (click on “Southern Cross” in the TAG CLOUD).    Goodness … Continue reading →

Posted in Nursing Homes | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Easy Money”

Posted on March 2, 2012 by john graham

It is a rare sunny day in winter, so I woke up with a happy disposition.  It could have been dashed quite quickly – as soon as I opened the newspaper to find that for the first time ever Britain … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY MARKET, SMILES | Tagged | 3 Comments

“The Princethorpe Court Story”

Posted on February 28, 2012 by john graham

Thirty years ago I was lucky enough to be in at the beginning of a remarkable project, which helped start a change in how housing and care for older people was perceived in the UK.  It’s physical expression was a … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Legal Eagles or Vultures”

Posted on February 26, 2012 by john graham

Only a few weeks ago I was blogging about the increasing incidence of pressure sores in the NHS and how it is leading to more legal action.   (click on the ARCHIVE dated 12 February 2012 – “UNTOLD PRESSURE” ). Now … Continue reading →

Posted in N.H.S. | 3 Comments

“Never Been 21 or 65”

Posted on February 21, 2012 by john graham

When I was young, the big age to become was 21.  It was an anchor point  in life, a bridge between childhood and adulthood.  21st birthdays were when you became a “grown up”.  Time for a big celebration —– a … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | 3 Comments