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

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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