Author Archives: john graham

“Elderly Bouncers”

Posted on February 24, 2013 by john graham

Slow stream rehabilitation is a thing of the past.   Now they rush elderly people out of hospital faster than they push them in.   Unblocking beds is almost as vital as unblocking drains.   Hot bedding, just like hot desking, is becoming … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH, N.H.S. | 1 Comment

” A Step Too Far? “

Posted on February 21, 2013 by john graham

Assisted suicide has been a recurring subject in GrumbleSmiles ever since I wrote about it in my very first blog.   (See “LUCY DIED TODAY” by clicking in the ARCHIVE – MARCH 2010). I have no doubt there is sincerity on both … Continue reading →

Posted in Assisted Suicide, ELDERLY UK POLICY, HEALTH | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Simple Connections”

Posted on February 19, 2013 by john graham

A while ago I was grumbling about the complexity of modern technology for many older people.   What appears and appeals to the younger generation as the latest advance in easy living, is anything but to their grandparents.   (See my … Continue reading →

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“Retirement Planning”

Posted on February 17, 2013 by john graham

Thinking about taking the first steps onto the retirement ladder, I googled “Retirement Planning”, as any worldwide web wise pensioner would do these days.    And guess what?  All the top web links on Google are about money.    Pensions, annuities, savings … Continue reading →

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“Chillingly Killing”

Posted on February 12, 2013 by john graham

As I write this blog I am tucked up in bed with the central heating up high.   Outside it’s  minus 4ºC, the ground is covered with 6″ of snow and the roads and footpaths are sheets of ice. It’s Christmas … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Magnetic Mice”

Posted on February 10, 2013 by john graham

My mousey friends have again been helping out with research into memory.   Studies have shown that by using a magnetic coil, mouse memory and learning can be improved.   They are already clever little devils.   They will be doing degrees … Continue reading →

Posted in Dementia, HEALTH | 2 Comments

“Long Term Care Fairytale”

Posted on January 31, 2013 by john graham

After 2 1/2 years in power and with only 2 1/2 years left before the next election, the Government is once again beginning to think about the Grey vote. Before the last election, there was a feeding frenzy of discussion, … Continue reading →

Posted in HEALTH | Tagged | 3 Comments

“New Ways of Working”

Posted on January 29, 2013 by john graham

Set against the background of longer later life , we need to develop new patterns of working.   The idea of working full-time flat-out and then…………..you suddenly come to a FULL STOP!   For many unlucky people you stop dead literally, within a few … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Dementia Friends”

Posted on January 27, 2013 by john graham

A welcome new initiative by the Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to recruit and train 8,000 volunteers.   They will in turn seek to find one million volunteers to help and support dementia sufferers and their carers. There are estimated to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Dementia, HEALTH | Tagged | 1 Comment

“Now You Don’t”

Posted on January 24, 2013 by john graham

This blog follows on from the previous post “Now You See It”. I was at the AGE UK Conference in 2011 when the Secretary of State for Works and Pensions – Mr Ian Duncan-Smith – made his speech about the … Continue reading →

Posted in ELDERLY UK POLICY, Pensions | Tagged | Leave a comment