Author Archives: john graham

“Neglect Shames Britain” – 5

Posted on June 7, 2011 by john graham

Headlines in the Daily Mail again on the subject of the inhumane treatment of the elderly in NHS hospitals – “Elderly patients dying of thirst“. This is a continuation of a campaign started nearly six months ago under the front … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY, Residential Care | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

“Breakfast Exercise” 6

Posted on June 5, 2011 by john graham

The New York Times regularly has good coverage on ageing. Recently I was sent a very interesting article entitled “Tai Chi eases depression in elderly”, by someone who knows it is a regular early morning pastime of mine. The report … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, SMILES | Tagged | 3 Comments

Southern Cross card game televised. 6

Posted on June 3, 2011 by john graham

  The Southern Cross card game is now being watched by millions on TV.  The Chairman was forced to come out into the public gaze and submit to an inquisition by John Snow on Channel 4 News. Meanwhile, the newspapers … Continue reading →

Posted in Care Funding, Residential Care | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“The Last Chance Saloon” – Southern Cross 5

Posted on June 2, 2011 by john graham

I first started talking about Southern Cross in my blog “Houses built on Sand” (16th January 2011), when I forecast the melt down of the company unless the Government took action – which I did not expect them to do. … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | Tagged , | 1 Comment

“Swimming with Sharks” – Southern Cross 4

Posted on May 30, 2011 by john graham

In my time with ExtraCare Charitable Trust, we often did very adventurous things with our elderly residents.  Sailing, climbing, canoeing, absailing and horse riding were all accomplished by the hundreds of residents who went to the Calvert Trust Outward Bound Centre … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Dream Chocolates

Posted on May 29, 2011 by john graham

It has to be too good to be true – anti-wrinkle chocolates. Just 3 a day smoothes wrinkles away!  Not only that, research on this new product also suggests it may lower blood pressure and improve memory. This could be … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“A Public Inconvenience”

Posted on May 25, 2011 by john graham

Bladder weakness is a cause of great inconvenience and embarrassment to many elderly people.  It often limits their ability to go out because of the difficulty of finding a public toilet when you need one.  The fact that Local Authorities … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY, HEALTH | 4 Comments

Mountains and Molehills

Posted on May 22, 2011 by john graham

I went for a walk this morning for the first time since I retired six months ago.  At the very time when I had the time to go walking I stopped walking.  When you have all the time in the … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | 2 Comments

“Preach what you Practice”

Posted on May 17, 2011 by john graham

Somewhat ironically Esmee Russell recently published a blog on the Age UK website entitled “Food for Thought”.   It reflects the comments Age UK received when they attended the Royal College of Nursing Conference, in response to questions about why older patients … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH | Tagged | 3 Comments

“Fruitful Research” 4

Posted on May 15, 2011 by john graham

Baylor in Texas must be the carrot growing capital of America.  So here’s a message for my gun-toteing, cattle ranching, oil-prospecting cowboy friend John T. in Pampa, Texas.  When the oil runs out you can always turn to carrot farming, … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged , | 7 Comments