Category Archives: RETIREMENT HOUSING

“Hang the curtains!”

Posted on October 21, 2014 by john graham

While care of older people in residential care homes languishes in a perilous position – under-funded, staffed largely by unqualified staff and inspected by tick box regulators – the Care Minister, Mr Norman Lamb, has come up with a bold … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

“Bungalow Brandon”

Posted on October 2, 2014 by john graham

Raised in 2013 in a think tank paper by the Policy Exchange, bungalows have now resurfaced as a new Government policy. The title of this blog is my nickname for the recently appointed Minister of Housing and Planning – Mr … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 1 Comment

“Residential Care not Healed”

Posted on September 25, 2014 by john graham

The private residential care sector grew rapidly in the 1980’s and 1990’s as the elderly population expanded.  The construction of new homes was funded by expensive venture capital on the promise of high financial returns, underpinned by Government support for … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | Tagged | 1 Comment

“We don’t care”

Posted on September 23, 2014 by john graham

My old friend Mr Paul Burstow, is back in the news.  (See an earlier blog where he is mentioned by clicking on “Confusion still Reigns” in the ARCHIVE dated November 2011). Mr Burstow was the Care Minister from 2010 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Residential Care | 1 Comment

“Longer House”

Posted on August 28, 2014 by john graham

Only a few days ago I was advocating a new form of house which could provide for the extended family; a several generation household instead of the fragmented family option of Granny in the downsized flat and the grown up … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 2 Comments

“Upsizing”

Posted on August 26, 2014 by john graham

There is a new type of housing needed to meet the changing needs of extended families. In previous generations, the 2 or 3 bed family house was the aspiration of most people, it provided a home for a couple to … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 2 Comments

“Bungalow Metaphor”

Posted on September 18, 2013 by john graham

This blog follows on from “Bungalow Mindset” which you can find by clicking on “Retirement Housing” in the TOPICS LIST. A survey by Halifax Building Society recently found that bungalows were the most popular image of a home in retirement.  … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Bungalow Mindset”

Posted on September 16, 2013 by john graham

Recent headlines in the press have heralded a new era of bungalow building for our rapidly expanding population of older people. “Bungalows are back” – The Times, 26 August 2013. “Build thousands more bungalows”- Daily Mail 26 August 2013 The … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | Tagged | 3 Comments

“Southern Cross Shadow”

Posted on March 10, 2013 by john graham

Eighteen months ago, the Southern Cross Nursing and Residential Care Group was in the headlines every day (see “SOUTHERN CROSS” in the TAG CLOUD for earlier blogs). They were up to their necks in debt and in danger of imminent collapse.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Nursing Homes, Residential Care | Tagged | 2 Comments

Future of Sheltered Housing

Posted on January 13, 2013 by john graham

The 1960’s, 70’s and 8o’s saw the birth and big expansion of sheltered housing initially led by Local Authorities and Housing Associations.    Quickly followed by McCarthy and Stone and others in the private sector.    It was seen as a response to … Continue reading →

Posted in RETIREMENT HOUSING | 2 Comments