More than a third of over-65s are online

Source : Laura Grigg \ AgeUK
Published on 09 August 2013 03:00 PM

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that 37% of over-65s regularly access the internet.

older man at a computer

 

According to data from the ONS, the number of older people going online has shown a positive increase, with over a third of over-65s using the internet on a daily basis.

Sending and receiving emails and finding information about goods and services were shown as the most popular activities among those aged 65 and over, while only 1% used the internet to take online courses.

Although internet use via mobile phone has increased in the past three years, access to the internet ‘on the go’ using mobile phones and/or portable computers was just 17% for the 65+ age group. The statistics also showed that internet use differed by gender. For example, whereas 29% of males aged 65 to 74 years had never used the internet, the corresponding total for females was 38%.

On-going training and support still needed

Aromatherapy soothes people with dementia

Lemon Balm extract as a lotion

By , |

Lemon balm extract is effective in reducing symptoms of agitation in people with dementia, say researchers in the UK.
Agitation – a mixture of restlessness, anxiety and aggression – is all too common among people suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. Often agitation is treated with anti-psychotic drugs, but these have severe side effects. They may, for instance, accelerate mental decline and also make the patient withdrawn.

In a new study, researchers at Newcastle General Hospital in England, have looked at the effect of lemon balm on agitation. They used either a lotion containing lemon balm or a placebo lotion to a group of 72 patients with dementia. The lotion was applied twice a day for four weeks.

Can setting up a charity help families deal with loss?

It helped us get through 10 years – it made us stronger”

Georgia Williams with parents Steve and Lynnette Steve Williams said it had been heartwarming to see people getting involved with the Georgia Williams Trust
Every year charitable trusts are set up in memory of people who have met violent or tragic deaths.

Some go on to become major charities – the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, established after the racially aggravated murder of the teenager, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Others flourish briefly and then fold.

But how does setting up a charity or trust help the families at the heart of the tragedy?

The Williams family, from Wellington, Shropshire, lost their teenage daughter in May.

The body of the 17-year-old was found off the Nant-y-Garth pass, near Wrexham, days after she had gone missing from home.