We are proud to be working with Leeds City Council (LCC) to deliver care and support services in our community. It is refreshing to work with a likeminded authority that has equally high expectations and accepts nothing less than excellence.

We are delighted to be awarded an ‘A’ on the recent Quality Standard Assessment process (QSA). Receiving an ‘A’ scoring represents ‘Excellence’ and gives our dedicated team of people the recognition they deserve for their handwork and commitment.

LCC have robust quality measures in place to enable providers to self-sufficiently explore their policy and procedures and ensure they are working in accordance with national standards and contractual expectations.

LCC ensures its providers are always up to date with changes and activity in the care sector by holding regular providers meetings. They have a self-developing culture like ours which promotes everyone involved in social care to invest in their own development and use the great training resources LCC provides.

As Managing Director of AJ Community Care, I can honestly say we feel supported by LCC and appreciate their forward thinking nature. Working with LCC has provided me with confidence that we are working alongside an authority that is committed to shaping the future of Social Care.

Here at AJ we strongly believe that to work in any position that involves looking after someone at their time of need, whether this is in a hospital, care home or at home it is essential the professional can undertake the most basics of tasks. 

Providing personal care may be classed as one of the most basic tasks, however, it is certainly one of the most important tasks in up keeping someone’s dignity. It involves working with someone on a very intimate level usually when they are at their most vulnerable so a high degree of personalisation and respect is required. If students are taught this from the very offset it will help them build the foundations they require to be an excellent nurse.

Providing care in the community is an excellent way to learn about personalisation and appreciate what that means in a Health or Social Care setting.

Caring for someone in their own home means that you are in their environment, surrounded by their personal belongings. Our Community Care Support Workers support people to maintain their personal hygiene and appearance, and their living environment, to the standards that they want.

When providing support with personal care it is imperative they take the individual’s lifestyle choices into consideration – respect their choice of dress and hairstyle.

If you know anyone who is studying to be a nurse or Health Care professional and are looking to work alongside their studies we would love to hear from them. We have many flexible contracts that would fit in and around their studies and will enable them to gain the hands on experience they need whilst earning!

If they would like to apply to be an AJ Community Care Support Worker please ask them to call Vicci on 03305 552277 and choose ‘Job Shop’. She will have an informal chat with them and explain the opportunities available. All applicants should hold a full UK driving licence with use of a vehicle.

Time really flies, as it does every year. Just like us AJ is now a year older. Although many of us are making an effort to ignore our Birthday and be reluctant to accept we are getting older. As a business we are proud to say that on March 23^rd it’s our 9^th Birthday!

Here at AJ we are proud to say we have had some fantastic achievements and are still growing by the day. This really is something we are grateful for as we all know that some businesses are not able to celebrate and really are feeling the pinch in this tough economic climate.

The key factor in our success is the fantastic team of dedicated people we have. Our people …

• are Passionate about the service we deliver
• Care about the job they do
• are Respectful to our clients and exceed their expectations daily
• are Committed and work so very hard day and night
• are Proactive in making suggestions to improve our service

So, we would like to say a BIG Thank You to each and every one of you and hope you join as we look forward to another year of success!

his team to success.

They the carers all have it, that little bit of something that makes them fit to care for me and all I need.

There’s Adele who folds the towels as agreed, Sue who oozes charm with applications of sudacrem balm.

Susan dashes in to move my chair causing no harm.

Another carer agrees with all I say, another is so slim does she live at a gym?

All in all one takes the good with the bad.

I can honestly say they are the best I have ever had.

I tell the carers what I desire so they have no excuse to misfire.

The petty thing about throwing sultanas to the birds or water for the dog.

To me is just as important as going to the bog!!

At AJ Community Care we promote independence, it is important to us that our clients are able to lead their life as independently as possible and be an active participant in their community. Below are a few tips to help you maintain your independence.

Accept Support

If tasks such as shopping, cooking and cleaning or personal care such as washing and dressing are becoming a struggle, one of our Community Care Support Workers can support you in a confidential non intrusive manner. It could just be for half an hour a week, several hours a day, even up to 24-hour live-in care.

Searching for the Right Care Provider

This can seem like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. CQC regulate the standards of care provided and rate services accordingly helping you to choose a quality care provider. AJ Community Care are a 3 star excellent rated provider.

Claim Your Benefits

Many people have trouble making ends meet, which can lead to individuals struggling to cope. There are many benefits available to help, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits for more help.

Check Your Health Regularly

It may sound obvious, but keeping as healthy as possible will help you to stay in your own home. Contact your GP to ask for a check-up and get advice on any health conditions you have or perhaps arrange to see a chiropodist, district nurse, health visitor or physiotherapist.

Keep Warm in Winter

The cold is responsible for the deaths of about 25,000 older people each year. Installing loft or cavity wall insulation – which is often free to homeowners aged over 70 – can make a big difference, not only to the warmth of your house, but also to heating bills.

Get a Community Alarm

If you feel vulnerable, and especially if you live on your own, consider having a community alarm. This allows you to call for help 24 hours a day if you have an accident or are unwell.

A Community Alarm is an electrical device that usually has a push button which can be used to notify your care provider that you require assistance.

Ask Your Local Authority About Making Adaptations to Your Home

Your local authority or NHS may provide equipment and adaptations, such as grab rails, toilet and bath seats or stair lifts. Your local authority will send out someone – often an occupational therapist – to assess your needs and advise on the best equipment for your needs. You can also do it yourself: There are an increasing number of retailers now who produce ranges of products specifically for making life easier for people who need support around the home.

Funding Your Care

Most people who genuinely require support are entitled to direct payments which are provided by most local authorities. You can have a financial assessment which looks at all you’re incoming and outgoing expenses and will determine if you are eligible or have to make a contribution. We can guide you through this process and give you any information you may need, just give us a call on 03305 552277.

It is great when older people have a good network of family and friends to check in on them and make sure they are well and safe.  However, not everyone is so lucky and many older people spend weeks, even months without seeing anyone.

The return of the snow has made it even more important we keep up with these visits and make the extra effort in our busy lives to call in. 

 5 Tips on Keeping Well and Warm this Winter

 1.    Stock up on food and drink – it is very important people eat and drink regularly. At least one hot meal a day would help a lot. Vitamin C also helps with colds so eating oranges and drinking fresh orange juice is always a good idea.

 2.    Reduce the need to leave the house – if someone only has to go outside to collect medication or other necessities. Do what you can to eliminate this task. Family and friends could take turns, whatever can be done to reduce the risk of a fall or going out in the cold.

 3.    Hot Water Bottle or Electric Blankets – promote the use of either one of these in bed on a night. Never use both together as this can be very dangerous. Ensure electric blankets are serviced every 3 years.

 4.    Temperature Check – Your main living room should be around 21C and the rest of your house at a minimum of 16C. Take the time to check timers and ensure the heating is sufficient. Many people of low incomes will do without due to the rising costs. However there is help out there, the Winter Fuel Payment helps pay heating bills and is offered to people born before July 1951.

 5.    Wrap up warm – Layers of clothing keep us much warmer than those big thick winter jumpers due to warm air being trapped between the layers. Make sure people have a good stock of thick tights and socks, preferably thermal underwear if available.

During these winter months people who are over 65, disabled, on a low income or have long term health issues such as heart disease have a significantly higher risk of suffering colds, flu, pneumonia, strokes, depression and heart attacks.

Many lives are lost unnecessarily due to the cold, so lets all make sure we do our bit and look after the older people in our lives.

If you would like more advice on how you can keep your loved ones warm this winter visit NHS and AGE UK.

Andrew Brindley, AJ Director who came close to being a victim of an opportunist on New Year’s Eve said “You can never be too secure, no matter where you live and how well you know your neighbours and community, there are always people around who will try their luck so make sure you use a security alarm. If it wasn’t for my alarm and the blessing of a passing police officer who had just finished his shift, things could have been a lot worse in my house!” CASCA (Community Action and Support against Crime) worked with Andrew in making his locks more robust and Victim Support called to check if Andrew or his family needed any emotional support.

Our care workers are very vigilant when it comes to protecting our service user’s homes. When someone receives care at home it is important carers are discreet when entering the property ensuring it is not obvious to onlookers that there is a vulnerable person receiving care. The after affects of a burglary can stay with a person for years and affect their health and wellbeing. After a break in, 57% of victims have difficulty sleeping and feeling safe in their own homes. It’s not just what they take, it’s what they leave behind.

There are services out there which can help vulnerable adults with small jobs that can make their home safer. Age UK Handy Van operates in and around the Leeds area and can help with home security such as door and window lock repairs.

Here are 10 tips ways in which we can protect our homes

1. Cut trees back so intruders are not hidden when committing the crime!
2. Don’t leave keys in obvious places such as plant pots and under the bin, this is the first place they will look!
3. If you have an alarm installed, USE IT! A common mistake is people own these but don’t set them OR annually service them
4. Check to see if your garden furniture is providing the perfect climbing aid to first floor windows
5. Be careful when using Facebook Places – ‘Checking in’ tells people you’re not at home
6. Lock doors and windows, 1 in 4 burglaries in West Yorkshire were the result of an unlocked door
7. Don’t leave valuable gadgets on show, an ipad on the sofa is an open invitation
8. Don’t leave your sat nav and valuable sunglasses on show in your car. Remove the sat nav ring from your window as this is a clear indication you have a sat nav.
9. Lock away tools that may be lying around your garden hammers, screwdrivers etc… as these can be useful to a burglar
10. Leave a light on when you’re out or install a security light to brighten dark pathways

Something’s just can’t be replaced, as we live in a digital era, our cameras and laptops hold some of our most precious memories. Although our newest gadgets maybe the bait which entices the burglars, once they are in your home they also take other valuables, things with sentimental value such as jewellery. It is important we bear in mind this potential loss and invest in the security if our home.

For more advice on Home Security visit ADT and West Yorkshire Police website.