The Government has launched an initiative called "Focus on older people" which gives an overall picture of the lifestyles of people aged 50 and over.

A study has found that older people suffering from depression may find their symptoms alleviated or eliminated when they start playing video games.

One way to tackle the issue of loneliness in older people is to take the grandchildren for a visit, but you could also match up parents and young children with the old and lonely.

Many of our finest writers were published at a comparatively late age, which is great encouragement for over 50s who feel they have at least one book in them.