Here’s our advice to help you cope with the coronavirus situation
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the government has advised that if you have an underlying health condition(s) or if you are aged 70 or older, you should be social distancing for up to 12 weeks. It’s really important that you look after your mental and emotional wellbeing during this time, as well as your physical health. If you struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, we are here to help.
Here are a few tips to help you cope with social distancing:
- Create a daily routine – this helps to give structure and purpose to your day.
- Try to have a good mix of work (be it house work or paid work), rest and leisure activities.
- What activities do you usually do? If they’re important to you, have a think about why they are important and see if you can adapt the activity so you can do it at home – eg. If you can’t meet your friend for coffee, can you call them instead?
- Create yourself a ‘to do’ list. Nothing gives a sense of achievement quite like ticking everything off.
- Identify what might cause you to feel low and look for ways to manage this.
- Stay in touch with family, friends and neighbours.
- Look after yourself by eating and drinking well – this will help to boost your immune system and energy levels.
- Make sure you keep moving – be it around the home or outside if you’re able – this will maintain your fitness and strength.
- Keep up-to-date with government guide lines and advice through the media.
How we can help you cope with the coronavirus pandemic
We Care Home Improvements is the contracted Home Improvement Agency for Bristol City Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council. We also work in partnership with Gloucestershire Council. We are part of a network of organisations supporting local hospitals and community health services to get people home from hospital.
Our Handyperson service also plays a vital role in helping to prevent hospital admission by helping people to get small jobs and repairs done around the house. When people have health difficulties or find it difficult getting around the home, small jobs can seem like big jobs. But it is important to maintain your home to keep you safe and well, and out of hospital – especially at this time. If you need any help with home maintenance, please give us a call to see how we can help on 0300 323 0700.
Our Handypeople are following all government guidelines to keep people safe.
Need help with shopping, prescriptions or other small daily domestic tasks?
We are aware that some of our customers may be struggling with other daily tasks such as getting shopping, prescriptions or walking their pets. Please contact Age UK on 0800 678 1602 (for Bristol 0117 929 7537) or the British Red Cross Bristol on 0344 871 11 11 to see how they might be able to help you.
Feeling overwhelmed?
If you are feeling low or anxious, the Samaritans are able available 24/7 to offer emotional support. You can call 116 123 for free.
For more advice on how to cope with coronavirus and your mental health at this time, visit the Mind website.
Are you in a position to help others?
If you can offer to help others, please start with friends and family that are self-isolating or have difficulties getting out and about.
Many older or vulnerable people aren’t able to access help online and aren’t sure where to go for help at this time. You can use this template to post through front doors and offer help to people you don’t know that live close-by.
Some people are using this crisis as an opportunity to scam or take advantage of older or vulnerable people. If you are worried about this, here is some advice from Independent Age.
Alternatively, if you are in a position to be able to offer help to others you can also visit Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK or Can Do Bristol to register your interest.
Other resources
- Public Health England– up-to-date government guidelines
- Independent Age – free impartial advice for older people
- Well Aware – provides local information that can help improve people’s health and wellbeing in Bristol and South Gloucestershire (0808 808 5252)
- Alzheimer’s Society – if you or someone you care for are worried about coronavirus and need support and advice, call the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456
