Author Archives: john graham

“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

“The £140 Pension Illusion” 2

Posted on March 20, 2011 by john graham

Back in October 2010, I first wrote very scathingly about the announcement by Steve Webb, the Pensions Minister of a huge increase in the basic State pension.   Recently an article in The Times suggests that it may not be such … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY, Pensions | Tagged , , | 26 Comments

“Breakfast Exercise” 4

Posted on March 15, 2011 by john graham

Teased out into the garden today, the allure of the first signs of spring, and the need to throw off my winter cold.  Started my Tai Chi routine but the deep breathing still inhibited by my blocked nose.  The antibiotics … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Age UK – Agenda for Life 2011”

Posted on March 10, 2011 by john graham

On Tuesday of this week I went to the Annual Conference of the two organisations that were formerly called “Help the Aged” and “Age Concern”.  It wasn’t long before I was thinking I had stepped into a parallel universe – … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 2 Comments