Author Archives: john graham

“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

“Commission on Funding of Care & Support” 4

Posted on March 6, 2011 by john graham

HALF-TERM REPORT Some of the early indications from the Dilnot Commission would suggest that they intend to fully embrace some of the age old problems in the funding of long term care.  Certainly it will be very welcome if there … Continue reading →

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“Commission on Funding of Care & Support” 3

Posted on March 3, 2011 by john graham

One of the fundamental themes of my submission to the Dilnot Commission  (see Commission on Funding of Care & Support dated 6 February 2011), is that in the years ahead, most older people will have to pay for their care by using their house as an … Continue reading →

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“Neglect Shames Britain” 4

Posted on March 1, 2011 by john graham

ST DAVID’S DAY REFLECTION February 2011 was quite a momentus month of news about the elderly.  I don’t think I can remember a month with so many front page headlines and numerous graphic accounts of neglect of the elderly.  Not … Continue reading →

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“Commission on Funding of Care & Support” 2

Posted on February 27, 2011 by john graham

Age UK, in an interesting blog by Stephen Lowe entitled “Changing the Social Care Landscape”, has recently commented on the potential tension between the Dilnot Commission Report and the Law Commission Review of Adult Social Care Law.  Both are due … Continue reading →

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“Move to the Country” 2

Posted on February 23, 2011 by john graham

Back on the 28 May 2010, I wrote about the virtues of moving to the country on your 76th Birthday which was supported by recently published demographic statistics about living longer. On the 9th February I went to a Government … Continue reading →

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Breakfast Exercise “3”

Posted on February 20, 2011 by john graham

Breakfast is supposed to set you up for the day but not always in the way you intend.  See my earlier posts on Breakfast Exercise and you will see what I mean (Breakfast Exercise – 6.9.10 and Breakfast Exercise “2” … Continue reading →

Posted in GRUMBLES | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“When I’m 64”

Posted on February 16, 2011 by john graham

Written by Paul McCartney in 1966 when he was only 16 – just how prophetic were these lyrics? “When I get older losing my hair many years from now,” Sad to say my hair was falling out in my 30’s … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | 3 Comments