Monthly Archives: November 2012
Report recommends ways to get older people online
New report says older internet users are less isolated, lonely and feel more in control than non-users.
Older people who use the internet are more likely to feel in control, and be less isolated and lonely than those that do not, a new report has found.
‘Nudge or Compel?: Can behavioural economics tackle the digital exclusion of older people?,’ has recommended a number of ways to get older people online and tackle digital exclusion.
Published by the International Longevity Centre – UK, a leading think tank on longevity and demographic change, the report said that over 7.5 million adults had never used the internet, and the majority of non-users were older, had disabilities or were in the lowest social classes.
The report highlighted new analysis of data from the ‘English Longitudinal Study of Ageing’ on the behavioural traits that accompanied internet usage among older people. It showed that people who said they used the internet, tended to report feeling more in control of various aspects of their lives, and were also more likely to say they ‘hardly ever or never’ felt isolated, the same went with feeling lonely. While those that said they did not use the internet were more likely to say they ‘often’ felt isolated from others.
Those that did not own a computer were also more likely to feel they were unable to learn a new skill, while those that did were more likely to agree they could.
Health bus aims to help those dedicated to looking after others
A HEALTH bus has put wheels into motion to help raise awareness of carers.
And on board is one woman who knows all too well the physical and mental strain of looking after others.
ALL ABOARD: A carers health bus is touring supermarkets across North East Lincolnshire. Back, Angie Hunt, carer support worker, Amanda Pearce, Adult Social Care, Helen Tinmurth, massage therapist, Helen Kirk, of the Carers Centre, Mandy Burkitt, parent carer support worker, Tracy Slattery, Young People Support Service, Abigail Lord, health trainer. Front, from left, Lisa Revell, strategic lead for palliative and end-of-life care, Christine Wallis, former carer and Debbie Burres, carers project co-
Former carer of nine years Christine Wallis, of Grimsby, looked after her mother-in-law, mum and dad prior to their deaths – the most recent being her mum who died in January.
Now the 57-year-old has hitched a ride on the latest campaign that will deliver advice and guidance to others like her.
A carers health bus, packed with individuals from various organisations including Care Trust Plus (CTP), Young People’s Support Service, a parent carer support worker from North East Lincolnshire Council, Adult Social Care, end-of-life care service and more, will be stopping at all supermarkets across North East Lincolnshire during the next few months.
I love my disabled child – but I’d give my life to make her normal
The mother of a severely autistic girl makes a painfully honest confession
- Meg Henderson writes a reply to Dominic Lawson who said he would never want to ‘cure’ his daughter from Down’s syndrome
- Daughter Louise is brain-damaged and autistic and mother says disability took an ‘intolerable toll’ on the family
- At 34, Louise is now settled in a special village in Fife where she receives dedicated care
PUBLISHED: 00:59, 28 November 2012 | UPDATED: 10:13, 28 November 2012
Most nights, for more years than I can remember, I have had the same dream. I’m walking along the street, arm-in-arm with my beautiful, dark-haired daughter.
Her brown eyes are sparkling with joy, she’s chatting 19 to the dozen, making me laugh and giggle along with her. But every morning I wake to the same chilling reality. My 34-year-old daughter, Louise, is disabled.
Her speech can be almost unintelligible even to us, she will never hold down a job, have a family or even live by herself. Louise is a scared, anxious little girl imprisoned in a woman’s body.
