Walnut the whippet attracted a great deal of attention and sympathy on his final walk along the Cornish beach, with his devoted owner. The story reminds me that all too often our pets receive better care and attention in their final days and years, than our aged Ps.
There has been much in the press highlighting the disgraceful conditions, lack of care, and in too many cases, abuse of the elderly. Families believe they are handing over their frail relatives to responsible professionals who will provide care and protection, when they can no longer remain independently at home.
In years gone by, care of both the very young and elderly, was a family matter. This was a time when extended families of at least three generations, lived under one roof. An arrangement which provided family support, and which should once again be considered and made possible.
Today few young couples can afford the deposit to get them on the housing ladder. Statistics show the average person will not afford their own home until they are in their forties.
The cost of affordable care for the elderly is extortionate. Savings and homes are depleted and sold, if they have them. The burden of care is falling on the state, and numbers rise as do health issues.
It is time to rethink house building. Planners must review and question developer’s designs of small houses with small rooms. Show Homes are now furnished with specialist bespoke mini furniture, giving a false impression of size and space.
New developments both large and small, should include homes with a ground floor ‘granny flat’, and a separate annex, which could either be let to help with costs, or house offspring when they first set up home.
The extended family should be re-established as the norm, but this will not happen without government intervention and sensible local planning.
In the long run a change of policy will save billions of £s in reduced social care for the elderly and child care. It will also keep families together. Relatives can be on hand to help, making it easier for family members to work and socialise.
Families are increasingly isolated with little support for young families. Keeping them close would help them to save, and perhaps salvage marriages which today are floundering due to stress. One parent families are not an ideal environment to raise children. Family values and traditional care must be reintroduced, and I believe such affordable and supported housing schemes are the way forward.
It is a puzzle why the police considered two mature ladies in their 70s to be a threat to the public. They tried in vain to prevent the Lime trees in their street being felled by the council, for dubious reasons. Why it took 12 officers to arrest this harmless pair at 5am, and lock them up for 8 hours is a puzzle. Particularly considering the guys who climbed Nelson’s column, causing considerable damage with their tackle and crampons, were let off with a caution.
Nigel Farrage deserves an Honour, but would he wish to rub shoulders with many of the Peers in the Upper House? Thanks to Tony Blair and latterly David Cameron, since 1997 the benches have been crammed with mediocre, ill equipped, and in many cases useless individuals, most of whom are motivated by party politics.
Prior to the culling of the majority of ‘hereditary’ peers in 1999, by the introduction of the House of Lords Act, the red benches were on the whole, occupied by honourable, a-political, and decent people, who had the best interest of the nation at heart.
It is regrettable that Mrs May has decided to scrap Lord Strathclyde’s suggested reforms. Now is the time to start a dramatic cull, particularly of those who bought their seats.
Jeremy Clarkson and his fellow Mustang-eers, have created a riotous success with the Grand Tour. And with this triumph they have delivered a resounding 3 fingers to their former over politically correct bosses at the BBC. Good for them.
There has been much in the press highlighting the disgraceful conditions, lack of care, and in too many cases, abuse of the elderly. Families believe they are handing over their frail relatives to responsible professionals who will provide care and protection, when they can no longer remain independently at home.
In years gone by, care of both the very young and elderly, was a family matter. This was a time when extended families of at least three generations, lived under one roof. An arrangement which provided family support, and which should once again be considered and made possible.
Today few young couples can afford the deposit to get them on the housing ladder. Statistics show the average person will not afford their own home until they are in their forties.
The cost of affordable care for the elderly is extortionate. Savings and homes are depleted and sold, if they have them. The burden of care is falling on the state, and numbers rise as do health issues.
It is time to rethink house building. Planners must review and question developer’s designs of small houses with small rooms. Show Homes are now furnished with specialist bespoke mini furniture, giving a false impression of size and space.
New developments both large and small, should include homes with a ground floor ‘granny flat’, and a separate annex, which could either be let to help with costs, or house offspring when they first set up home.
The extended family should be re-established as the norm, but this will not happen without government intervention and sensible local planning.
In the long run a change of policy will save billions of £s in reduced social care for the elderly and child care. It will also keep families together. Relatives can be on hand to help, making it easier for family members to work and socialise.
Families are increasingly isolated with little support for young families. Keeping them close would help them to save, and perhaps salvage marriages which today are floundering due to stress. One parent families are not an ideal environment to raise children. Family values and traditional care must be reintroduced, and I believe such affordable and supported housing schemes are the way forward.
It is a puzzle why the police considered two mature ladies in their 70s to be a threat to the public. They tried in vain to prevent the Lime trees in their street being felled by the council, for dubious reasons. Why it took 12 officers to arrest this harmless pair at 5am, and lock them up for 8 hours is a puzzle. Particularly considering the guys who climbed Nelson’s column, causing considerable damage with their tackle and crampons, were let off with a caution.
Nigel Farrage deserves an Honour, but would he wish to rub shoulders with many of the Peers in the Upper House? Thanks to Tony Blair and latterly David Cameron, since 1997 the benches have been crammed with mediocre, ill equipped, and in many cases useless individuals, most of whom are motivated by party politics.
Prior to the culling of the majority of ‘hereditary’ peers in 1999, by the introduction of the House of Lords Act, the red benches were on the whole, occupied by honourable, a-political, and decent people, who had the best interest of the nation at heart.
It is regrettable that Mrs May has decided to scrap Lord Strathclyde’s suggested reforms. Now is the time to start a dramatic cull, particularly of those who bought their seats.
Jeremy Clarkson and his fellow Mustang-eers, have created a riotous success with the Grand Tour. And with this triumph they have delivered a resounding 3 fingers to their former over politically correct bosses at the BBC. Good for them.
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