Author Archives: john graham

“A Questionable Bonus”

Posted on April 20, 2011 by john graham

Generally, as I have commented on in my “Submission to the Dilnot Commission” dated 6 February 2011, I am strongly in favour of a radical change in NHS care of the elderly.  I am less sure about the changeover from … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged , | 6 Comments

“Residential Care Dilemma” 4

Posted on April 17, 2011 by john graham

I have already forecast that we are heading for a financial meltdown in the residential care market – see “Residential Care Dilemma” dated 12 October 2010 and “Houses Built on Sand” dated 16 January 2011 (both can be found by … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | 3 Comments

“Reflection on Blogging”

Posted on April 14, 2011 by john graham

Q1  Why am I blogging? I have something to say about all things “elderly” Writing can be therapeutic   Fun when it flows easily – a topic that fires my imagination Frustrating when on an important issue – the simple … Continue reading →

Posted in ABOUT GRUMBLESMILES, SMILES | 4 Comments

“Free Bus Pass Deception”

Posted on April 10, 2011 by john graham

In July last year, at the time when the Coalition Government was contemplating lots of different ideas on how to approach the cuts, one of the ideas they floated was to remove free bus passes from pensioners.  At the time … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 3 Comments

“SOUTHERN CROSS POKER GAME – Residential Care Dilemma” 3

Posted on April 5, 2011 by john graham

The history of residential care has had its highs and lows over the years (see “Residential Care Dilemma dated 12 October 2010).  At times there has been rapid growth and high profits, but always on shaky foundations (see “Houses Built … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

“Richmond Villages Step Forward”

Posted on April 3, 2011 by john graham

Private sector retirement villages are beginning to take off in the UK, although the rate of expansion has been slowed by the downturn in the housing market.  Fundamentally, the potential for growth in the market is very strong.  I think … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 2 Comments

” The £140 Pension Illusion” 3

Posted on April 1, 2011 by john graham

Is this a cruel April 1st joke ?   I first started writing about this subject back in October last year when the pensions minister Steve Webb anounced a headline grabbing huge 40%rise in the state pension.      More recently on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Pensions | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Breakfast Exercise “5”

Posted on March 27, 2011 by john graham

My breakfast struggle with packaging and small print continues! This time, in the unlikely form of a small bottle of lemon juice. Surely that can’t defeat me? All I want is a warm honey and lemon drink to soothe my … Continue reading →

Posted in GRUMBLES | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“Silence is Golden” 2

Posted on March 25, 2011 by john graham

In April last year I wrote a blog about the invasion of noise in our lives entitled “Silence is golden”.   It was an early morning grumble, but perhaps not surprising given I was in central London at the time. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in GRUMBLES, SMILES | 7 Comments

“Longevity – Burden or Blessing ? “

Posted on March 23, 2011 by john graham

Almost a year ago on the 7th April 2010, I wrote a blog entitled “How did we become such a burden?”  It was sub-titled “unravelling the demographic and economic clash”.  According to a report by the National Institute of Economic … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 2 Comments