Author Archives: john graham

“A pill for everything”

Posted on September 7, 2010 by john graham

Since the formation of the NHS, we have become a nation of pill poppers.   We have developed an expectation that there is a tablet for every ailment.   If we visit our GP we feel shortchanged if we come away … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Breakfast Exercise

Posted on September 6, 2010 by john graham

I am trying to lead a healthy life now I am retired.  So I start most days with Tai Chi in the back garden.  Half an hour of light stretching and gentle exercise improves breathing and balance as well as … Continue reading →

Posted in GRUMBLES | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

“Mice on the move”

Posted on August 25, 2010 by john graham

Since first writing about the problems mice are having these days – see “Mouse traps become bridges” dated 1 April 2010 – it seems that the issue is much more widespread that I thought.  Today the Daily Mail reports that … Continue reading →

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A Confused Policy

Posted on July 28, 2010 by john graham

A recent Department of Health report places the UK eleventh out of 14 developed nations in prescribing four drugs used to help alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It’s not easy to get a diagnosis to start with, but when you … Continue reading →

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Confusion about Confusion

Posted on July 20, 2010 by john graham

I have hesitated before writing anything on the subject of dementia because it is such a complex medical area with widely different levels of knowledge among clinicians and health care professionals.  In terms of the numbers of people affected, it … Continue reading →

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“Bus Pass bust up”

Posted on July 16, 2010 by john graham

The Government budget cuts are now under discussion and in a classic piece of political toe-in-the-water “sounding out” the Department of Transport has leaked that free bus passes for the elderly may be scrapped.  The trouble with this approach is … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 1 Comment

Breakfast in America

Posted on July 6, 2010 by john graham

It doesn’t take long to remind me of one of the reasons I like America.  You just have to go out for breakfast and you’re immediately given a comprehensive experience of what the “Land of the Free” is all about. … Continue reading →

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Magic of New York’s Central Park

Posted on July 5, 2010 by john graham

On the 19 May I was writing about Westminster City Council’s attempt at trying to enhance Hyde Park in London for older people with exercise equipment.  Perhaps they could take some pensioners to New York and do some park benchmarking, there … Continue reading →

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Cleanliness is next to Godliness – Follow up to “No Gumption”

Posted on July 2, 2010 by john graham

6.45 am – looking out of my sixth floor window of the Carlyle Hotel on Madison Avenue in New York – still not yet adjusted to American time.  The city is just waking up.  A few taxis racing by but … Continue reading →

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Walking the Dog

Posted on July 1, 2010 by john graham

At 7am in New York, the street walkers come out – not the late night variety. First are the power walkers – trainers, shorts and one, two or three unwashed, unpressed, faded, baggy tee-shirts.  Bottle of water in hand, rushing to … Continue reading →

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