Here are some useful links that might help people cope during the current situation:
Advice and help
- Please follow the latest Scottish Government and NHS Scotland health advice at all times:
- Scottish Parliament Coronavirus (COVID-19): Constituency support: https://spice-spotlight.scot/2020/03/19/coronavirus-covid-19-constituency-support
- Edinburgh Council service updates: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/coronavirus
- Parkinson’s and Covid 19 https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/understanding-coronavirus-and-parkinsons
- NHS mental health helplines https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
- Lothian Wellbeing https://www.wellbeinglothian.scot/
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Fingerprint for Scotland (F4S) have produced an article “9 mindfulness exercises to help you manage COVID stress”
Staying Connected
While initially aimed at volunteers, this Parkinson’s UK page contains useful suggestions for all on how to stay in touch with others during the pandemic by using various means of video calling. These include What’s App, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime and iMessage, Zoom and Skype. There are descriptions of these platforms and links to more detailed instructions. The page also has a section on Managing your Mental Health at Home when You Have Parkinson’s. https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/get-involved/staying-connected
As the impact of Covid-19 continues, we anticipate that we will continue to rely on technology (mainly Zoom) in order to deliver our Branch services and support. We will provide some links that might help our Members to be able to access and use computer, smartphone or tablet, to participate in as many activities and meetings as possible:
ACE IT are an Edinburgh-based charity specialising in coaching over 50s on their digital devices: smartphones, tablets and laptops. This service is provided free of charge https://aceit.org.uk/
People Know How deliver computers and devices to people in Edinburgh and East Lothian who need help staying connected, accessing support during the coronavirus outbreak. They receive donated devices and after donation, their Digital Champions refurbish and deliver them to recipients’ doorsteps. Once delivered, Digital Champions also provide phone support throughout set-up. https://peopleknowhow.org/
Importance of (Safe) Exercise
- Recommendations from Parkinson’s UK while we have to stay at home including links to a variety of helpful sites and pages: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/your-magazine/experts/staying-active-home-when-you-have-parkinsons
- From the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, how to stay active at home:
https://www.csp.org.uk/public-patient/keeping-active-and-healthy/staying-healthy-you-age/staying-strong-you-age/strength - See News Item 27th April re PUK Online Exercise Classes via Facebook and YouTube
Screen Mirroring/Casting
Your smartphone and tablet are both capable of ‘mirroring’ the content that is showing on the screen, onto your TV. This can really improve your experience of activities like Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi.
How to mirror your Android phone to your TV
How to mirror your Android screen with Chromecast
Use AirPlay to stream video or mirror your device’s screen
Support Networks
- Facebook Page to help find local Edinburgh groups and volunteers by postcode: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoronaEdiLocalGroups/learning_content/
- Local neighbourhood hub – find out what’s going on in your area: https://nextdoor.co.uk/
- EH6 Coronavirus support network https://nextdoor.co.uk/g/7ndksu9wr/
- Local organising to support the most vulnerable in our communities https://covidmutualaid.org/local-groups/
- Rehab 4 Addiction have a COVID-19 and mental health guide: https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/coronavirus/mental-health-coronavirus
- Function Central give advice on how to plan events in a Covid-19 world. https://www.functioncentral.co.uk/health-safety-event-planning/inclusive-event-planning-after-covid-19.html