Author Archives: john graham

“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

Commission on Funding of Care and Support

Posted on February 6, 2011 by john graham

Submission by John Graham OBE – 26 January 2011 My proposals are two-fold, and are based on both improving the quality of care for older people and also releasing the billions of pounds required to meet the dramatic growth in … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“My Paper Chase”

Posted on February 3, 2011 by john graham

I had a frustrating day yesterday – making phone calls to no-one who was in, just b****y voice mail!; typing an e-mail which then I accidentally deleted before I could send it!!  Finally, when I wanted to print a report, … Continue reading →

Posted in GRUMBLES | Tagged | 3 Comments

Fruitful Research “3”

Posted on January 30, 2011 by john graham

Whilst you’re drinking down your five glasses of beetroot/apple/grape juice a day to ward off dementia (see Fruitful Research “2” dated 23 January 2011) it might be an idea to add just 2 more glasses of orange juice!! Research at … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, SMILES | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Fruitful Research “2”

Posted on January 23, 2011 by john graham

Dementia is increasingly talked about as the disease of the 21st Century, particularly in the ageing nations of Europe, America and Japan.  It is a subject which is attracting more and more research, both medical – searching for a cure … Continue reading →

Posted in Dementia, SMILES | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Houses Built on Sand – Residential Care Dilemma 2

Posted on January 16, 2011 by john graham

In the residential care sector, elderly people have become a commodity. I talked about it in my earlier blog – Residential Care Dilemma dated 12 October 2010.  Southern Cross, the UK’s largest provider of residential care, is much talked about in … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | Tagged , | 6 Comments

“Fruitful Research”

Posted on January 9, 2011 by john graham

At last some welcome research from America which is very easy to agree with.  Scientists at the Department of Agriculture are suggesting that eating strawberries may help you protect your brain against ageing.  Apparently strawberries are high in polyphenols – … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, SMILES | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Always look on the Bright Side of Life

Posted on January 1, 2011 by john graham

Positive mental attitude is a quality in people, employers always look for when recruiting new staff.  They frequently quote the phrase “attitude is one thing, it’s difficult to train for”. Judging by some research recently carried out in America – … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 5 Comments

“Neglect Shames Britain 3”

Posted on December 23, 2010 by john graham

The blaze of publicity in the Daily Mail about the Patients’ Association helpline appeal is beginning to die down.  So now let’s look at their longer term strategy for improving elderly care, which is to appoint independent matrons to hospitals … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“Neglect Shames Britain 2”

Posted on December 22, 2010 by john graham

Two days after the Patients’ Association and Daily Mail campaign to improve NHS care of the elderly started, it continues to attract attention.  Thanks to the information provided through the Patients’ Association helpline and the continued excellent coverage in the … Continue reading →

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