Beacon Links & Apps – March 2018
Online video support groups
Connecting with others who share similar diseases or challenges as yourself can help you feel less alone and offer coping tips.
The new website, aGroupForME, makes it easier to join a wide range of support groups, including ones that address addiction, depression, cancer, divorce and PTSD. There is currently no charge to use the service
Using group video technology, aGroupForME matches and then connects people sharing the same issues and concerns for ongoing, scheduled support group sessions online. The groups are hosted by vetted moderators, scheduled on a weekly basis, limited to 12 members at any one time, and are accessible on any device.
The founder, Dr. Gina Ghods, a doctor of psychology, started aGroupForME after leading an Alzheimer’s Association support group in New York for eight years. While there, she noticed the difficulties and challenges people encountered to attend meetings.
Transportation issues, dependent care struggles, finding the right group and other obstacles inspired her to build an online community where anyone can connect to the right support group, at a time and place that works best for them.
The search for parking made easier
A slew of apps and other online services have appeared to help city dwellers and travelers across the country find [reserve and pay in advance for] parking in crowded urban areas.
Washington, D.C. is one of six cities that have the most demand for residential parking, according to Michael Rosenbaum, CEO and founder of spacer.com — a site that matches up those with parking to spare and those in need of a spot. You pay through the app.
Another service, SpotHero.com, lists parking spaces — mainly excess vacancies in hotel garages — in the United States and Canada. Listings also include offerings of space in home garages or driveways.
Park Whiz is another source for short- or long-term parking spaces. It’s designed to work with Amazon Alexa, so spaces can be reserved via voice commands.
Parkingcupid.com, yet another service linking those with parking spaces to those in need of them, also features a sample rental lease to give some legal protection to both parties.
On the other side of the steering wheel, residents could make extra income from renting out their spaces. But experts warn that before you put your city parking space up for rent, you should check building rules.
Many condo and apartment buildings don’t allow residents to rent out parking spots to people who don’t live in the building, especially when entry to the parking garage is secured and leads directly inside the building.
Detached garages tend to have fewer regulations about parking space rentals.
Workouts for the heart and soul
Heart and Soul HASfit offers hundreds of free, full-length online workout videos for all levels. Most feature two down-to-earth trainers, merely identified as Coach Kozak and Claudia.
While Kozak demonstrates the exercises, from high intensity training to weight training, Claudia shows how to do modified versions for those who are less fit or can’t keep up.
There are many ways to access Hasfit. You can watch the videos on the website, view them through their YouTube channel (so you can watch them on your smart TV), or see them on your smartphone through apps for both iPhones and Android.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXIJ2-RSIGn53HA-x9RDevA
Free in the iPhone app store and from Google Play
Homes on wheels
RV owners can traverse the country with all the comforts of home just behind the driver’s seat.
The website Your RV Lifestyle includes dozens of articles on choosing RVs, costs, campgrounds and more. There’s even information about the best RV toilets and heaters, as well as RVs listed for sale.
But beware, the site is chock full of ads. You will need to scroll halfway down the home page to get to links to the articles.
Technology 2025
