Author Archives: john graham

“Bungalow Wild Goose Chase”

Posted on August 21, 2016 by john graham

A bungalow is the dream retirement home of many older people. I first wrote a blog about downsizing in 2012 when Grant Shapps, then a newly appointed Housing Minister announced a bold new initiative to encourage the elderly to move … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 4 Comments

“My Little Tin Box”

Posted on August 14, 2016 by john graham

When I was young we didn’t have a lot of money and I remember my mum used to have a tin box on the mantlepiece where she saved money for the rent, the insurance, Christmas, my school uniform – a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy | 3 Comments

“ARCO Conference – Regulation”

Posted on August 7, 2016 by john graham

This is my fourth report from the ARCO conference – July 2016. (See my earlier blogs “ARCO Conference Demographics”, “ARCO Conference Dementia” and ARCO Conference Marketing” in the archive dated July/August 2016.) Regulation The discussion on this subject was made up of … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 2 Comments

“ARCO Conference – Marketing”

Posted on July 31, 2016 by john graham

This is my third report from the ARCO conference – July 2016. (See my earlier blogs “ARCO Conference Demographics” and “ARCO Conference Dementia” in the archive dated July 2016.) Marketing This was an extremely interesting talk by Doctor Margaret Wylde, the Founder … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 3 Comments

“ARCO Conference – Dementia”

Posted on July 24, 2016 by john graham

This is my second report from the ARCO conference – July 2016. Dementia The first thing to say of the prominence of this discussion on the agenda is that it leads you to feel that beyond demographics, this was the most important … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 3 Comments

“ARCO Conference – Demographics”

Posted on July 17, 2016 by john graham

ARCO stands for Associated Retirement Community Operators.   It was formed in 2012 and is a diverse collection of providers of retirement housing in the UK.   They represent 27 operators who between them provide more than 50% of the current … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged | 5 Comments

“Getting Plastered”

Posted on July 11, 2016 by john graham

It’s been a lovely week, the weather has been good and I have been out in the garden catching up on all the weeding, pruning, tying back and pottering.   These are the constant everyday challenges of the cottage gardener. … Continue reading →

Posted in SMILES | Tagged | 4 Comments

“Assisted Living”

Posted on July 3, 2016 by john graham

This is an American term applied to retirement housing, which I have never fully understood.   It tends to be associated with grab rails, hoists, Zimmer frames, mobility scooters and emergency call systems.   That’s all good stuff but it doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“Retirement Housing Review – Churchill Retirement Living”

Posted on June 26, 2016 by john graham

I started this thread about retirement housing when I wrote a post a few weeks ago on a very upmarket scheme in London.    Following that I wrote about the key issues that are driving the future of this market … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 9 Comments

“Wine not ?”

Posted on June 19, 2016 by john graham

Chief Medical Officers are obviously not party animals.   In November last year I was looking forward to a few drinks at Christmas, and a few more on Boxing Day, and a few more in the days that followed.   … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, SMILES | Tagged , | 4 Comments