Spring has finally arrived and with it some positive news about our current situation. With a year past since the first national lock down, many of us have suffered a confusing and lonely time. With the latest government road-map, we are able to see an end in sight and with it, a huge weight is lifting from our shoulders, filling us with positivity about the year ahead and even making tentative plans.

Those sunny days and lighter evenings are a perfect time for a fresh start and a new beginning. Having a de-clutter, spring clean and keeping those green fingers busy in the garden, is a great way to clear your mind and give you something to focus on.

Spring cleaning doesn’t just have to mean cleaning out those cupboards, it is an opportunity to re-start and re-boot. Make time for yourself once a day, go for a long walk, spend time in the garden, listen to your favourite music, read a book, enjoy some time just for yourself. This is especially important at present; allowing ourselves to unwind and concentrate on an interest helps us to keep happy and energized. This Spring is coming with a pinch of hope and we are hopeful that better days are approaching!

Here at Lapis Care we are also getting into the spirit of spring, continuing our ‘Lapis Care Cleaning’. This service is an addition to the ‘personal care’ we provide, but something we are just as passionate about. Ensuring peoples homes and clean and safe, taking away the pressure of chores and leaving you relaxed in your clean and fresh home. We also offer every 8th clean free with our loyalty card.

We are happy to announce our ‘Fish & Chips Fridays’ are back in full swing; we work with our local fish and chip shop to deliver your Friday lunchtime treat straight to your door!

Lapis Care are always looking to lend a hand: having registered nurses on board has helped us do our bit to get everyone back to ‘normal’. Our director Liz -RGN, (as an ex- practice nurse) has volunteered herself once a week to support one of the local vaccination programmes and administer the vaccines. We are so pleased to be able to help towards seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. Liz feels at home again in this environment and we are so pleased she has been able to help so many people.

Our older generation, they've seen a lot and lived through many experiences and changes.

Although now taking life a little slower, they still shouldn't have to spend it alone.

 Becoming lonely can be a very common problem at any age, however the possibility of loneliness is higher within the elderly, leading to social isolation.  

1 in 3 over 65's have experienced bereavement of a partner, resulting in living alone.

At Lapis Care, we encourage people to be independent for as long as they possible can, this also includes high encouragement to continue to persue hobbies and interests that people enjoy or ensuring quality time is spent with others.

We can share with experience that these things will and do increase people moral and happiness, which enriches their lives.

There are many circumstances that can impact social isolation and also barriers we need to overcome.

As part of Lapis Cares' Enrichment Initiative (and because its feel good Friday!) We have been meeting with clients, especially throughout this pandemic, that have not been able to get out recently and who are missing their usual social outings, including our 'Young at Heart' day service.

Our staff have been dedicating time with these clients to ensure they are still getting the social interaction they need. This has included, shopping trips, playing cards, doing crafts, gardening and even trips out.

This is a lovely photo taken last week, one of our clients enjoying a day out at the seaside!

On average people spend around 20 hours a week caring for a vulnerable family member, spending time with elderly relatives that may need extra help doing everyday things or even socialising with family living alone.

During the Covid-19 lock-down restrictions, this has become increasingly difficult as we are no longer able to spend this quality time with each other. This can be a very difficult time for everyone.

The government has advised that if you are providing personal care for someone, these visits are still permitted, although should be kept to a minimum and to wear personal protective equipment. Any surfaces or household items that you come in contact with should also be disinfected.

Alternatively if you can avoid going into someone's home, then you should. Dropping off food or essentials to the door and conversations at a distance. If you are able to, you are also now allowed to meet in a open space or garden and socialise, keeping a safe (2m) distance between you. Why not take advantage of regular phone calls or even video chats!

Most importantly, before and after visiting anyone outside of your home, please wash your hands and/or use 70% alcohol based hand sanitiser.

Staying positive is our main focus. We are all in this together and we will all get through this together. Lapis Care are committed to providing physical and mental well-being, we are regularly checking up on clients, especially living alone and also visiting previous clients just to ensure they are safe, well and have everything they may need. In this uncertain time need to focus on what makes us happy and appreciate the little things.

We want to encourage everyone to look out for each other, here are a few ideas of how to show someone you are there!

Show your kindness:

Call your friends, especially if you haven't spoke for a while

Tell your family how much you appreciate them

Help each other around the house, cooking, chores or even just making a cup of tea

Arrange a video call with your friends/family

Send a motivational text to someone who is struggling

Send someone a joke or a cute animal picture to brighten their day

Contact your colleagues, there in the same boat as you

Spend quality time with your pets

Donate to a charity or food bank

Send someone a food package of treats

Check on your neighbours

Check out our new handmade head band scarves given to all our wonderful Lapis Staff! 

Its been a scorcher out there!

Our carers, in full PPE, can often suffer in the heat. Our management have made these beautiful head scarves to help pull back their hair and they also helps face masks hold in place. 

We have had to make many changes throughout this Covid-19 outbreak, however we feel it has made us stronger as a team and we will always continue to work together to ensure our staff and clients are happy!

Cared for Staff= Cared for Clients 

That smell of Fish & Chips and the nostalgic feeling it brings to many, is one that we cannot resist.

As a treat to our wonderful clients we have decided to bring a home delivered fish and chips to them on the last Friday of every month.

With a huge shout out to Wickham Fisheries who have made this happen for us, even in throughout this difficult time and their reduced open hours!

Today was our first run at Fish and Chips Fridays and as you can imagine it went down a storm! Many of our clients tucking into their favourite dish this Friday lunchtime.

Lapis Care always strive to go above and beyond for our clients and although just a little extra treat for them, it has made such a difference today and we cant wait to do it all again next month.

Happy Friday Everyone!

Here’s our 2nd addition to Feel Good Fridays.

This week is all about Thank You! 

Along with many of you, we hugely praise our NHS staff and all the key workers on a Thursday evening with a huge round of applause with our neighbours.

For us at Lapis- we are definitely clapping for our wonderful carers who work so hard and with great compassion. 

We are pleased to share the appreciation we have also received from our clients. One of these letters is from a client herself and the other is from family members regarding the care we gave to their mum, sadly who is no longer with us. 

The support and appreciation from all our clients and their families is so rewarding and is the reason we do what we do! 

Coming up next week... FISH AND CHIPS FRIDAYS!! 

Having days where you just want to switch off the news?

Never knowing what to believe or whether your the only one who doesn’t understand?

Feeling anxious or alone?

You Are Not Alone

Here at Lapis Care we understand that this is a very unsettling time for everyone. We have been working round the clock to ensure our care continues to the same highest standard whilst maintaining safety for both staff and clients. 

As well as being safe we want everyone to feel HAPPY! We must remember we are all in this together and keeping ourselves busy and positive really makes all the difference, just taking everything day by day.

Therefore we are starting Feel Good Fridays- Sharing some positive news and showing the care and appreciation we all can have for one another!

Today we are sharing a lovely sign that one of our clients has put in their window to thank all our hard working staff! This means so much to us all and keeps all our Lapis Ladies positive and feeling appreciated for everything they do. 

See you next week for more Feel Good Friday news!

Lapis Health and Events are holding their second Community Care Show on Friday 20th March at The Wickham Community Centre.

This free event will run from 10am until 3pm and will include a huge range of information regarding health care, future planning, community services and much more!

We believe in a stress-free future and this can be found in planning ahead and have the knowledge in what’s available to you.

Here at Lapis Health & Events we often come across the same frequently asked questions and our community care shows are here to help answer these.

Have you ever thought…?

Can you afford private care?

Are you entitled to public funding?

Do you know where to find your local support network?

Do you want to stay at home?

What is a lasting Power of Attorney? Why do I need one?

What is assistive technology?

What can I do to maintain my health and wellbeing?

Our Community Care show will help you in deciding what you want and the choices that our out there for you and your loved ones.

This event, supported by our Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond, is an event for the community to come together and support each other. Care can often be an uneasy topic and a worry for many, let’s make life easier for the future and get talking! 

Lapis Health and Events- Community Care Show; Friday 20th March, 10am- 3pm at The Wickham Community Centre. Refreshments available all day and free parking.