Senior Housing Resort Style, AgapeSenior of South Carolina Does It Right!

Senior Housing Resort Style, AgapeSenior of South Carolina Does It Right!

For years SC department of health and Environmental control has proclaimed that assisted livings should be "home like" in appearance. Even going as far to cite facilities for not having place mats on their tables.

Agape Senior took exception to that strategy 10 years ago, proclaiming that seniors want and deserve not a home like environment, but a resort type environment. So agape adopted the model of looking like a hotel, adding dark wood furniture, oil paintings and even Tiffany chandeliers. Residents are allowed and encouraged to bring their own furniture and decorate their apartment to their own individual taste and style, but the common areas including the dining and living rooms are designed to look like hotel lobbies. Comfortable seating, beautiful furniture with an inviting feel that makes you want to sit and chat with your friends.



At Agape in Rock Hill, you will find that the residents stroll to the living room around 11am every morning and sit with each other and share stories before heading to the dining room for lunch. Lunch is served buffet style with a full salad bar and choice of entries and side items, always topped off by a desert that is custom made by chef Willie. The halls are lined with oil paintings that show scenes of Italian gardens and lovely country sides.





Now hospitals are catching on to what AgapeSenior started. Read this link to the New York Times on how environments are changing in healthcare.

Scott Middleton, CEO AgapeSenior

AgapeSenior is a family of companies that provide living settings and health services to seniors in South Carolina. AgapeSenior offers assisted living, skilled rehabilitation, hospice services, physician services, pharmacy, medical equipment, long-term care insurance, ambulance transportation and real estate services. Agape services Rock Hill, Lancaster, Chester, Columbia, Laurens, Sumter, Camden, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Hartsville, Florence, Kingstree, North Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Loris, Garden City, Pawley’s Island, Surfside and Gaffney. Call us at 800-411-2427

Agape Senior Harbison Assisted Living in Irmo SC Hosts Community Holiday Drop-In

Agape Senior Harbison Assisted Living is located in Irmo, SC, at 990 Columbia Avenue 29063. A Christmas Drop-in will be held on December 19th, 2010 from 2-4pm. This gathering will be open to the public and we ecourage seniors and family members in the community to attend. There will be good food, fellowship, music and door prizes as we gather to celebrate the Holidays. It’s our way of thanking and giving back to the community. After all, it is better to give than receive, that’s the Agape way.

Agape Senior is one of South Carolina’s leading Senior Solutions Provider for continuum care. From Independent Patio Homes, 8 Assisted Living locations throughout the state to Rehabilitation, Skill Nursing Facilities, Alzheimer units and Hospice, Agape Senior provides the best possible care for our seniors at every level. Agape Senior is a faith based company that has a number of ancillary services available to enhance the quality of care for our seniors. Our Primary Care, Pharmacy, Durable Medical, Insurance, Ambulance, Real Estate and Mortgage Companies will give you the peace of mind you deserve when making such a difficult decision for your loved one. Ask Agape what we can do for you at askagape.com!

Irmo South Carolina Assisted Living
Assisted Living of Harbison provides senior-focused solutions. In working with seniors and their families, the dedicated staff strives to optimize quality of life by embracing individuality and preserving dignity. Irmo, Chapin, Prosperity, Newberry, Silverstreet, St Andrews, Lake Murray SC – Call Agape Senior of Harbison at (803) 749-7889 or (800) 411-2427

Agapé Senior Regional President of the Pee Dee Selected to Serve on (NAB) Exam Committee

 

Dr. James C. “Jimmie” Williamson of Cheraw, SC has been selected to serve on the Exam Committee of the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Residential Care/Assisted Living (RCAL) division.

As a member of this committee, Williamson and other representatives nationwide will contribute to the construction and revision of the NAB/RCAL exam. The exam is a national credential that prepares professionals to serve as Assisted Living Administrators.

Williamson, Regional President of Agapé Senior of the Pee Dee and Grand Strand, is a licensed Residential Care administrator. Additionally, he served as executive director of Agapé Hospice of the Pee Dee until a new director came aboard in October 2009.

The NAB/RCAL examination committee meets several times per year. The first meeting of Williamson’s tenure will be in Chandler, Arizona.

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Ask Agape-1-800-411- 2427

West Columbia Agape Senior Life Enrichment Conducts State Wide Employee Survey

The Agapé Senior Life Enrichment Team consisting of Gena Turner; Melba Allard; John Griggs; Mason Harrington; Melina Mayweather and Grace Waddell conducted a company wide employee satisfaction survey in September of 2010.

The team visited 26 Agapé entities throughout the state of South Carolina to collect the employee data. One important purpose for administering the survey was to establish a benchmark for current employee satisfaction.

Agapé Senior believes that each employee should have a voice and role in providing exceptional care for all residents. The problems and concerns of employees are an important element of providing that quality care. If the employee feels empowered to make a difference he/she normally will. The data collected will help the Life Enrichment Team develop new programs geared toward making sure each employee feels that he/she is a part of the overall Agapé team.

Five of the 26 entities surveyed were recently recognized for demonstrating outstanding awareness, preparation, employee participation, and enthusiasm during the actual site visit from the Life Enrichment Team.

Congratulations to the following entities:

Agapé Medical Mart, West Columbia
Garden City Assisted Living
Kingstree Hospice
Laurens Assisted Living
Rock Hill Skilled Nursing / Transitional Care Unit

The administrators of the above entities gathered their staff the week of October 25th for a surprise return visit from the Life Enrichment Team to celebrate the spirit and accomplishments of the staff in each entity. The celebration was closed with a prayer for blessings and prosperity for their ministries.

West Columbia South Carolina – Agape Senior

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Ask Agape-1-800-411- 2427

Rock Hill Agape Assisted & Skilled Residents Enjoy Paws Together Ministry

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself."~Josh Billings

Dogs are amazing creatures. They are loyal to a fault, always happy to see you, sensitive when there is something wrong, never tire of attention, will listen to your complaints, and will never judge you.

The Paws Together Dog Ministry in Rock Hill knows just how special dogs are and has been sharing its love and passion for animals with the residents of Agape Senior for the last two years.   The volunteers and their dogs visit both the skilled nursing facility and the assisted living facility once a month. The visits are always a huge hit with the residents.

The unconditional love that only a dog seems to be capable of giving is rewarded by lots of attention from the residents. The “fur therapy,” as the ministry volunteers like to call it, allows the resident to forget about their problems for a brief time and enjoy the love and companionship of the wonderful friendly dogs.

Grace Waddell, Volunteer and Outreach Director for Agape Senior and Agape Hospice, states,  “It is truly amazing what smiles and touching moments they bring to all they visit! “  The Paws Together Dog Ministry is a great example of how community partnerships can be used to improve the daily lives of the senior residents.

Joe B. Nester

Rock Hill South Carolina Assisted Living – Agape Senior Rock Hill

Agape Senior Assisted Living of Rock Hill provides senior-focused solutions. In working with seniors and their families, the dedicated staff works diligently to optimize quality of life by embracing individuality and preserving dignity –

Call us 803-207-8000

West Columbia Senior Solution Advisors Receive Specialized Internet Marketing Training

West Columbia based Agape Senior provided the front line marketers with specialized internet strategy training on Friday, October 8, 2010. The Senior Solution Advisors (SSAs) from across the state attended the training via webinar. West Columbia, Lexington, Harbison, Kathwood, Laurens, Garden City, Conway, and Rock Hill were the assisted living facilities that had representatives in the training.

Each facility within the Agape Senior network has a dedicated SSA assigned. The SSA is the one-stop informational resource for families and potential residents that have questions about assisted living. In addition to the assisted living SSA, hospice services, skilled nursing, physician services, and rehabilitation services have their own dedicated SSAs.

Agape Senior believes that it is important that all of its marketers understand that residents and family members today are seeking relevant information about care options online. Information should be easy to locate and customers should have access to an expert when necessary.

The focus for Agape Senior in the very near future will be to have an online senior resource center that will cover a variety of issues. Health, lifestyle, exercise, and diet will be just a few of the topics that will be discussed from a senior perspective. Experienced experts, from physicians to speech therapists, will provide real life content that will allow people to make informed choices about future care options.

Joe B. Nester

West Columbia South Carolina – Agape Senior

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Ask Agape-1-800-411- 2427

West Columbia Agape Senior Residents Share the Gift of Music

The Melody Makers of West Columbia Agape Senior Assisted Living enjoy spreading the gift of music and nostalgia to their audiences throughout Columbia. The group, directed by Nancy Vosburgh and co-directed by Amy McCormack, with Patsy Pennington as pianist, also includes 22 Agape Senior residents. The singers have been together and performing since 2004.

In addition to singing for Agape Senior residents throughout the year, the group also performs each Christmas at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport’s Sounds of the Season. Incoming and departing travelers are treated to traditional Christmas carols as they pass through the airport to their final destinations.

On Sept, 3, 2010, the group performed for the Methodist Oaks Retirement Community in Orangeburg, SC. Amy McCormack, Co-Director stated that “the friendly residents and staff at Methodist Oaks treated our group like celebrities!” The performers were served a lovely lunch by the Methodist Oaks staff before performing for the residents at 2:00 P.M. The group performed some of its favorite songs from a 1950s program. There were over 100 residents in attendance to hear the performance.

One of the Melody Makers singers, Glenn King had a special reunion when he reconnected with a cousin in the audience that he hadn’t seen in decades. It was a successful and enjoyable event for both the Melody Makers and the residents of Methodist Oaks. Music has a way of making people feel good. Happy memories of days gone by are part of the magic.

Joe B. Nester

West Columbia South Carolina Assisted Living – Agape Senior West Columbia

Agape Senior Assisted Living of West Columbia provides senior-focused solutions. In working with seniors and their families, the dedicated staff works diligently to optimize quality of life by embracing individuality and preserving dignity – Call us 803-939-3000

West Columbia Agape Senior Volunteer Gains Perspective Helping Elderly

It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. —Ralph Waldo Emerson

The bright sunlight and deep blue skies belied the fact that the temperature was hovering around thirty eight degrees on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in West Columbia, SC. The wind had been gusting all day and a bank of leaden grey clouds was now piling up on the horizon.

A small SUV turned off a main throughway and slowly made its way down a deserted side street. This was a poor section of West Columbia, and the small frame houses lining the street were in varying stages of disrepair. The car turned into a yard and passed through a small opening in a chain link fence that surrounded a white clapboard home.

In the yard an old pickup truck with four flat tires had been parked in the same spot for as long as Greg the driver of the SUV could remember. He drove past the truck and parked near the wooden front porch. He shut off the engine, reached into the back seat for one hot meal and two frozen meals that had been given to him at the Meals on Wheels distribution center. There would be no delivery for the next two days because of the holiday. The frozen meals were meant to supplement during that time.

Greg always made this home his last stop on the route. The elderly woman that lived in the home seemed to enjoy his weekly visits. The woman would always open the door just a crack until she could make out who he was. He could see her tense expression relax when she recognized it was him. He wondered if she lived in constant fear of who might try to enter her home. Several months earlier as she was watching TV, a bullet had been shot through her living room window and had lodged into the opposite wall just a few feet from where she was sitting.

Greg could tell by their conversations that everyday was a struggle for the woman. Her fixed income kept her so close to the edge of poverty that one crisis would easily send her over the edge. She told him she was nearly 80 years old. She could still move around without any assistance, and she liked to work in her yard when the weather permitted. Despite her financial hardships, she had a strong faith in God and a great attitude. She would tell Greg that she was thankful for everything she had.

For two years Greg, an employee of Agapé Senior would spend his lunch hour every Wednesday delivering the meals. He would tell her about his family and things he was involved with at work. She would talk about her son that lived somewhere in Columbia but rarely visited or about how difficult it had become to use public transportation. The city had recently cut bus service to a bare minimum. She was always concerned about her utility bills increasing. Every increase meant cutting expenses in another area.

 What Greg had not counted on was how his weekly visits and friendship with this simple graceful woman would impact him personally. Difficult times and problems in his own life had new perspective. His job with Agape Senior had originally inspired him to look outside of himself and become involved in his community. The actual experience proved to be as much of a benefit to him as the people he was serving.

Volunteering and community outreach is an important part of the mission of Agapé Senior. Each contribution of time or the sharing of a special talent has the power to make a difference in another person’s life. The recent employee blood drive for The American Red Cross or the Habitat for Humanity home build are just two examples of the spirit of volunteerism at work. There are also many opportunities for volunteers from the community to work with Agape. If you would like to find out how you can make a difference, call our Ask Agape line 1-800-411-Agape(2427)

Joe B. Nester

West Columbia South Carolina – Agape Senior

Agapé Senior’s mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company’s philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Ask Agape-1-800-411- 2427

West Columbia Agape Senior Brings Healthcare to Local Economy

Agapé Senior is one of the largest senior healthcare providers in South Carolina. In the Columbia metropolitan area alone, Agapé Senior operates 42% of the total licensed assisted living beds out of the top ten assisted living providers in the Midlands.  In fact, the area's largest assisted living community is Agapé Senior-West Columbia with 184 licensed beds. 

 Three other Agapé Senior communities are in the top ten: Agapé Senior-Kathwood in , fourth position with 100 beds, Agapé Senior-Lexington in seventh position with 90 beds, and Agapé Senior-Harbison, in Irmo, in ninth position with 74 beds.[1]

Agape Senior's impressive assisted living  communities are not only improving the lives of senior adults who reside there, but they are making a significant impact on the local economy.
 

Agape Senior currently employs 630 people in the Midlands with an annual payroll near $17 million, impressive numbers.  However, when direct-effect economic multipliers are applied, the numbers are even more impressive.  The payroll of Agape Senior provides a $37.4 million economic impact on the local economy.
 
The direct-effect employment multiplier is used to estimate how many other jobs are created in other businesses and industries that do business with a particular company. When applied to the number of people employed by Agape Senior in the Midlands, the estimate of total number of local jobs created by Agapé Senior is 1,134.

Besides directly improving our local economy, there is an additional dimension to Agapé Senior that you will not find on a spreadsheet or an economic impact study. It is intangible but very real. It cannot be measured but it can have limitless impact. Agapé Senior is a faith based company where the senior leadership, through example, encourages its employees to be involved in the communities in which it serves.

 In addition to providing the best possible care for its residents, many employees are also active volunteers for their local churches, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Salkehatchie Summer Service and many other worthwhile causes. 

The lives touched through direct residential care, hospice, rehabilitation therapy, physician services, and volunteering is immense. That kind of impact should be called the human ripple effect, and it is a good thing…no, a great thing!

Joe B. Nester

West Columbia South Carolina – Agape Senior

Agapé Senior's mission is to provide integrated health services to meet the needs of senior adults in a faith-based atmosphere. The company's philosophy is based upon its commitment to provide the best quality care possible for members of our senior adult community. We are committed to participating actively in and around the communities we serve. Ask Agape-1-800-411- 2427

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[1] The State newspaper "Book of Lists," Sept 13, 2010.

[2] Assisted Living Executive "Deep Impact," February 2008.