Agape Senior Assisted Living Rock Hill Displays Culinary Skills

Agapé Senior Residents enjoyed an excursion around the world without ever leaving their community. Dietary Chef, Patti Petersen along with her staff prepared unique culinary dishes that spanned over ten countries.Manicotti with fresh basil from Italy, authentic Yue (Guangdong, Cantonese) from China, and Ratatouille from the Provence region of Southeastern France were just a few of the choices available to sample.

In addition to the variety of culinary delights, the Life Enrichment staff transformed the dining room using flags of each country represented. The flags and other decorations added to the international feel.

Administrator, Laney Whittle stated “Each resident in our community has a unique background that has been influenced by the geographical area and culture they grew up in. Our goal for this event was to have some fun by representing through food as many of those cultural backgrounds as possible. We are always on the lookout for ways to encourage our residents to socialize, and sharing stories while sharing a special meal is a perfect venue”

Agape Senior CEO and Author, Scott Middleton in his book Parent Talk, echoes this relationship between eating and socialization in his chapter on diet and nutrition when he writes “Meal times are a social experience in our society. We surround ourselves with family, friends and food and we interact in the process of consuming our meal. Without this social element, it is easy for a senior to lose interest in eating or lose their appetite altogether”

If you would like to know more about the programs, education and services available through Agape Senior in the Rock Hill area please contact Kegan Kelly, (SSA) Senior Solution Advisor. (803) 207-8000 or email kkegan@agapesenior.com

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. Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Tega Cay, Lake Wyle

Agape Senior York's hardworking women!

Regional President of the Piedmont/Upstate Region, DeeDee Henderson and Agape Senior York's Senior Solutions Advisor, Lindsay Davis help support the Habitat for Humanity of York County during the 2013 Women’s Build.

http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/05/08/4845488/habitat-women-build-workday.html

Participating in the Women's Build was a very meaningful day for us as we got to know the other women helping with the build, including the future homeowner! We look forward to helping out with Habitat for Humanity in the future!

Agape Senior Assisted Living of York 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. Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Tega Cay, and Lake Wyle – Call us (803) 684-0183 or (800) 411-2427

Agape Senior Catering and Cullinary Chefs Field Trip Columbia SC

By: Dougal Kear

If you were shopping at the new US Foods Chef Store in Columbia one day this week, you may have thought you walked into an episode of Hell’s Kitchen where Chef Gordon Ramsey takes his student chefs on a field trip to a food store.  Chef Ramsey uses this opportunity to show his aspiring chefs how to select only the most fresh and finest ingredients when purchasing for their restaurants.

Well, Chef Ramsey wasn’t in Columbia this week, but running around the US Foods Chef Store was a famous Columbia area chef who just was named a Top Ten Chef in the nation by US Foods, Agapé Senior’s own Executive Chef Michael Fusco. 





Chef Michael loaded up the Agapé bus with all his Chefs from around the state and took them to this new store to show them exactly what they need to look for when ordering and shopping for food for their facilities.  Each of these Chefs runs his or her own kitchen at one of the Agapé Senior assisted living or post-acute care facilities across South Carolina.  Each daily must plan, prepare, and serve three meals a day for 80 to 150 senior residents.  Not an easy task!

Chef Michael walked these Chefs throughout this vast store and showed them how to pick-out only the freshest in-season produce, the finest ingredients, and the leanest cuts of meats. Chef Michael also showed his Chefs how to compare price and get the most for their dollar.

Agapé Senior’s Creative Services even showed up to take pictures of this “field trip.”  Chief Photographer and Designer Junellyn Miles took several shots of the “teacher and students” throughout the store and of course we had to get that group shot at the end.  Store management got a little nervous when they heard someone was taking several pictures in their store, but when they heard it was for one of their Top Ten Chefs, all was ok!

Now, each of our Agapé Senior facility chefs can make the best and most cost effective choices next time they are ordering or shopping.  Then they can use their culinary magic to prepare a variety of delicious and nutritious meals for all of our Agapé Senior residents and patients. Bon Appétit!

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.Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, York, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

Ask Agape for senior solutions

New Independent Style Apartments Coming to York County

New Independent Style Apartments Coming to York County
Agape Senior, one of the largest senior healthcare providers in South Carolina, plans to build 31 Villa  independent style apartments to the already existing Agape Senior Assisted Living in York.

The Villas at Agapé Senior - York brings together the privacy and independence of apartment style living with the full complement of Agapé Senior’s services. Agape is investing more than $7 million in the York project.

The Villas at Agapé Senior - York provide a beautiful, comfortable, and dignified environment for residents as they transition from one level of care to another. Residents enjoy an independent lifestyle and personal attention in safe, secure surroundings. Our spacious one-bedroom apartments are equipped with kitchens, appliances, full-size private bathrooms, and large walk-in closets. Three meals are provided daily in The Villas’ dining room, and a full schedule of life enrichment activities are available for all residents to enjoy.

Residents can also expect to have a full range of Agape services including expert dementia care, customized services to satisfy each resident’s unique needs, our highly trained professional staff, a full range of activities and social events, and access to the other Agapé Senior family of services.

Scott Middleton, Agape Senior’s founder and CEO, expects the Villas to open at the beginning of 2014. “As the second most populated county in the Charlotte metropolitan area, we believed there was a need for our services in especially the underserved western part of York County. This county is fast growing and becoming a retirement destination for seniors. York County and greater Charlotte are areas that will benefit from Agapé Senior’s brand of senior healthcare,” stated Scott Middleton, CEO of Agapé Senior. 

The addition of the Villas is expected to employ 15 – 20 nurses, caregivers and medical technicians. Stop by Agape Senior Assisted Living in York to see the updates on construction.
Contact Lindsay Davis at LDavis@AgapeSenior.com or by phone at (803) 684-0183 to schedule a tour today!

Agape Senior Assisted Living of York 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. Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Tega Cay, and Lake Wyle – Call us (803) 684-0183 or (800) 411-2427

Agapé Hospice opens in Manning | Clarendon Citizen Online

Agapé Hospice opens in Manning | Clarendon Citizen Online

South Carolina Senior Care Company Brings Dementia Training to the People

Seeking the Light; Critical Alzheimer's Information Available for People Looking for Answers.

There is an epidemic going on in ourcountry that is forcing families into tough care decisions for their aging loved ones. The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease is on the rise and is expected to continue to escalate at an alarming rate. Alzheimer's the most common form of dementia causes memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with the activities of daily living.


According to the Alzheimer's Association there are five FDA approved drugs for the treatment of the disease. Unfortunately these drugs do not treat the underlying causes of the disease and only temporarily help with memory and thinking problems in about half the people that take them. Many of the new drugs in development aim to modify the disease process itself, by impacting one or more of the many wide ranging brain changes that Alzheimer's causes.


 Sometimes family members can be caught off guard when a loved one dies because it is not uncommon for a couple that has been married for decades to hide memory loss symptoms of their spouse from the kids. If the person that has been covering dies and the surviving spouse is the one with Alzheimer's it suddenly becomes apparent that the person is incapable of taking care of him or herself any longer.

 

Agape Senior believes that education is critical in providing the most appropriate care for people affected by the disease. Caregivers need to know the symptoms, techniques, progression and available treatment options.  Agape Senior has both an aggressive internal education program through Agape University as well as a comprehensive community out-reach program. Agape University is taking the lead and is committed to bringing the latest techniques and education to caregivers throughout the state.


Cynthia Scherbaty, Dementia Education Specialist for Agape Senior would be happy to provide more information about our scheduled programs as well as helping coordinate specific programming for communities and or organizations that would find this information valuable for their members. Contact Cynthia at 803-207-8153 Office or 803-477-5193 Cell. You can also email at csherbaty@agapesenior.com


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.Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, York ,Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

Ask Agape for senior solutions

Laurens Assisted Living Employee is Determined to Reach Goal

“I will lose 100 pounds”

Right now, companies across the nation are struggling with how they are going to pay for health insurance for its employees.  While companies are focused on how to pay for the treatment of diseases, few are also looking at prevention as a means of lowering health care costs.  One major cause of health problems is Obesity.  A slimmer workforce is a healthier workforce. At Agapé Senior we have had a weight loss challenge for the past few years.  Our program makes losing weight fun, a team effort, and employees have a chance to win cash.  Most importantly, they are slimmer and healthier,and our health care costs are lower. 

I want to share with you a true story of one of our staff who has been a participant of our weight loss challenge for the past three years,and how it changed her life. 

“For most of my life I have been heavy.  I always thought about my weight, but never did anything about it.  One day, I weighed myself and I weighed 281 ½ pounds, the heaviest I have ever been in my life!  I wondered to myself, when would it stop?  I had to do something.  At that moment my whole mentality changed.”

“I started to look at diet books, and they gave me inspiration.  I made a decision that I would lose 100 pounds in one year.  Starting my diet was tough.  I was doing it alone so I did not have that push to succeed.  I was not losing weight.  I did not know what I was going to do.”

“When I came to work the next day, I noticed there was a poster for a weight loss challenge that all Agapé employees could participate in, AND THEY WOULD PAY THE WINNING TEAM!  I thought to myself, WOW! I can meet my goal AND get paid!  January 10, 2010 was my first weigh-in for the Agapé weight loss challenge.  Our administrator did the weigh-ins for us and I was still at 281.  But now I have a team of co-workers with the same goal to cheer me on and keep me on track.”

“By the next weigh-in I had lost 4 ½ pounds.  By the end of the challenge, I had lost 30 pounds.  I still had 70 pounds to go, and prayed to God for direction on how to keep my weight loss going.  He immediately put another book right in front of me that was all about losing weight, while renewing the mind.  It focused on Romans 12:2 (being transformed by the renewing of your mind).”

“All of my life, I struggled with my weight.  I would lose a few pounds here and a few there, but never what I wanted.  The reason it wasn’t coming off was because I hadn’t “renewed my mind” like Romans said to.  I also needed my weight-loss team and the extra incentive.”

“I have access to all the food I could possibly want, but I know I have come too far to go back now.  The Lord has helped me control my desire for food; there are times when I just want to eat, eat, eat, but the Lord tells me that I have the power to overcome. He has given me the power to get through the struggle rather than to run from it.  We have to renew our minds to change our lifestyles; this doesn’t happen overnight.  I have been able to keep the weight off now for 3 years.  I am now at 211 pounds.  I did not lose 100 pounds in that first year, but by the time I complete this year’s Agapé weight-loss challenge, I will have lost 100 pounds and reach my goal!  It’s been a blessing for me towork at Agapé in many ways; I am so excited that I will get to complete my journey of weight loss, and by the Grace of God, lose 100 pounds.”

Agape Senior Assisted Living of Laurens 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. Clinton, Gray Court, Fountain Inn, Simpsonville, Greenville, Mauldin, Ware Shoals, Greenwood, Woodruff – Call us 864-984-9844 or 800-411-2427

Ask Agape for senior solutions

South Carolina Senior Care; Five Reasons Assisted Living May be Best Choice

Excerpts from Parent Talk, The nine Conversations to Have With Your Aging Loved One.

By; G. Scott Middleton

Isolation:

" The truth is our quality of life can suffer dramatically if we deprive ourselves of adequate socialization. But in the case of a declining senior adult, especially when the spouse is no longer living, the lack of interaction with others poses one of the greatest and most debilitating threats to their well-being."

Medication:

" For some unfortunate and unknown reason, too many people discount or simply ignore, the importance of ensuring that medicine is taken appropriately. In the United States, the number one reason for hospitalization and serious illness among the elderly is the improper administration of medicines. According to recent federal government research, 55 percent of elderly Americans are not following physician's orders for medication administration."

Nutrition:

"The importance of eating nutritious food increases as adults enter the senior years. Physical limitations and health problems often make it difficult for seniors to maintain a healthy diet. Influenced by a number of factors, poor nutrition contributes to health concerns of 15 to 50 percent of seniors in North America. To complicate matters, the symptoms of an unhealthy or insufficient diet such as weight loss, confusion and dizziness are often mistaken for illness or disease."

Home:

"In general, too many people believe that the needs of a declining adult are best met if the senior is kept at home as long as possible. In most cases, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Beyond the obvious health and safety issues, a senior left at home becomes increasingly isolated. Regardless of age and abilities, all persons need companionship and human touch. A sedentary life at home often results in significant reduced mental and physical stimulation, which can lead to emotional and bodily breakdowns."

Driving:

"The best way to avoid an accident while operating a vehicle is to be an alert, defensive driver. Defense relies on the ability to observe and predict what is going on around you and being able to react quickly to other drivers' carelessness or negligence. In many cases, these are capabilities that too many senior drivers no longer possess. Split seconds can mean the difference between life and death when struggling to control a 3,000 pound vehicle."

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. Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, York, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

Ask Agape for senior solutions

Columbia Senior Care; Five Possible Signs of Depression

There are many contributing factors to depression in a senior adult. As a person ages, health issues, death of  loved ones and isolation can all have adverse effects on the persons mental health. Unfortunately depression affects more than just mood it can also disrupt sleep patterns, reduce energy levels and appetite. The good news is that depression does not have to be an inevitable part of the aging process.

Below are five signs that a senior adult may be depressed:

• Lack of motivation and energy
• Loss of interest in socializing
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Neglecting personal care
• Loss of appetite

There are some easy self-help things that seniors can do to boost their resistance to depression and get back their feeling of well being. Research now suggests that physical activity is just as powerful as anti-depressant drugs and has the added benefit of having no side effects. If the senior is physically able to get out and walk, do some light housework or gardening it will go a long way in boosting their mood in a positive way.

Finding ways to limit isolation and to connect with others is also known to help keep the blues away. If the senior has difficulty going out to socialize he/she could invite loved ones or possibly church members to visit on a regular basis. Also consider senior communities many of which have out-reach programs for senior adults.

Volunteering is another great way to feel good about yourself by helping others. If the senior is physically able there are usually dozens of volunteer opportunities available throughout most communities.

Finding new things to do and keeping  the brain active are important in the fight against depression. It is a myth that an older person cannot learn new skills and if he/she is able to adapt to change stay active and socially connected it will ultimately lead to better mental health.

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. Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, York, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

Ask Agape for senior solutions

COLUMBIA, SC - Agape Senior celebrates move to Columbia’s Main Street, restoration of old buildings - Business - TheState.com

COLUMBIA, SC - Agape Senior celebrates move to Columbia’s Main Street, restoration of old buildings - Business - TheState.com

Columbia, SC - Editorial: Columbia’s downtown relevant again - Editorial - TheState.com

Columbia, SC - Editorial: Columbia’s downtown relevant again - Editorial - TheState.com

Agape Senior South Carolina Investing Over $8 Million In Three Main Street Properties

Corporate Headquarters and Other Agapé Services Moving to Downtown Columbia in 2013




Columbia SC—Agapé Senior, one of the largest senior healthcare providers in South Carolina, plans to relocate its corporate headquarters and some of its retail services to three buildings in the 1600 block of Columbia’s Main Street, investing over $8 million in downtown Columbia.

Agapé Senior will occupy a total of 43,000 square feet of space at 1614, 1620 and 1626 Main Street that once were home to Kimbrell’s Furniture, Schulte’s Department Store, and W.T. Grant.  Agapé’s plans were unveiled at the recent City Center Partnership annual meeting. 



Besides the corporate offices of Agapé Senior, other Agapé services will be either relocating or opening an additional location on Columbia’s Main Street: Agapé Senior Primary and Palliative Care, Agapé Pharmacy, 24/7 Health and Fitness Center, Agapé Gourmet and Catering, Good Life Café, and a new 3,000 square foot conference center that will hold 300 people.

Mashburn Construction Company will renovate the three buildings.  Lee Mashburn, vice president and longtime board member of the City Center Partnership, has assisted in the relocation plans for Agapé Senior.  Mashburn announced that the shell architect will be Lambert Architecture and the upfit architect will be CJMW Architects of Lexington.  Mashburn expects work to begin on the renovations toward the end of this year.  “We intend to maintain the historic look of all three buildings,” Mashburn said.

Scott Middleton, Agapé Senior’s founder and CEO, expects the 24/7 Health and Fitness Center and Good Life Café to open in the spring of 2013 while the remaining entities will move in by late summer.  “We are excited to be moving our headquarters to the Main Street of our state’s capital and largest city,” remarked Middleton.

The relocation of the Agapé companies is expected to bring 100 employees to Main Street.  In addition, Agapé employees from across the state will be utilizing the conference center weekly for educational seminars and meetings.  The current corporate headquarters in West Columbia will be converted to a division headquarters for the company’s hospice services.    
   
Middleton is an ordained Methodist minister who frequently visited elderly parishioners at long-term care facilities.  Those visits led Middleton to eventually change his vocation, and he founded Agapé Senior in 1999 after buying a small assisted-living facility in West Columbia. Since then, Agapé has grown to nine assisted living facilities, three post-acute care nursing centers, and is now the state’s largest provider of hospice services, caring for more than 1,800 residents and patients. Agapé currently employs just under 2,000 with an annual payroll of over $32 million.

Middleton has further expanded the business into home medical equipment, primary care, pharmacy, ambulance services, real estate and insurance services, catering, health and fitness centers, and recently launched a home care subsidiary. To maintain the highest standard of care, Agapé provides extensive employee training and opportunities for further education.

For more information about Agapé Senior, visit AgapeSenior.com or call 1-800-411-AGAPÉ (2427).   

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. Call us at 800-411- 2427. Columbia, Forest Acres, Lexington, Irmo, Rock Hill, York, Laurens, Conway, Garden City, West Columbia

Ask Agape for senior solutions