Senior Adults Need to be Accompanied to the Doctor-AgapeSenior South Carolina Provides Solution

Another one of the many pitfalls of sick elderly people living home alone is that they often go to the doctor alone. A recent article in the New York Times talks about the fact that many seniors are not good at communicating their physical issues with the physicians. It is so important that the senior adult is not only accompanied to the doctor but it should be by someone who has knowledge of the person’s daily activities. Many times just the discussion of what the person does each day can be enlightening to the physician.

At AgapeSenior we provide practitioners who come to the assisted living and nursing homes where they can talk with the caregivers and other staff to get a better understanding of the patients overall health.

Scott Middleton

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.

South Carolina Agape Senior CEO Scott Middleton Provides Sound Advice

Scott Middleton, CEO of Agape Senior, writes in his new book “Parent Talk” about the multiple challenges families face dealing with aging parents. The book is now available for purchase through Amazon.com and AskAgape.com. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Agape Foundation. In the introduction Scott talks about one of the major issues confronting our senior adults today, “isolation,” Scott writes:

The truth is our quality of life can suffer dramatically
if we attempt to live in complete isolation. 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 — isolation. The lack of
adequate socialization is the silent enemy of an aging
senior that too many “caretakers” fail to understand
or consider.

Scott’s point is clearly illustrated below in this excerpt from a testimonial that was written about the dramatic improvement a daughter saw in her mother after she was introduced into a social setting at Agape Senior Harbison.

The daughter explains how her mother would refuse to get dressed and usually stayed in her gown all day. She would skip breakfast and just pick at lunch and dinner. She would sit and rock, staring into space and rarely attempting to walk. She would not brush her teeth, bathe or groom herself. She was always difficult about taking her medication. She became weak and unable to walk without assistance and she talked every day about it being her last day.

The daughter goes on to explain the dramatic improvement she saw within five weeks of moving her mom to assisted living. Her mom was now getting up, getting dressed, and going to breakfast. She now eats everything on her plate at every meal. She gets involved with the various activities that are offered daily at the facility, uses her walker to get around, takes her medications when they are given, and does not mention that it is her last day. The daughter said she even asked her to bring her blush and lipstick to her. She has regained strength and has gained eight pounds.

The above results are not uncommon. Caretakers at assisted living facilities often witness dramatic improvement in new residents when they are introduced back into a social setting. The combination of scheduled nutritious meals, proper dosage of prescribed medication, and the stimulation of the social setting all contribute to help the residents to have a positive outlook.

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 Assisted Living Celebrates 203 Years



Anna Faye West Ready to Celebrate



What do we as a society consider to be of great value today? The Fort Knox gold depository in Kentucky is currently storing 147.3 million ounces of gold. At current gold prices, the treasure stored at the facility is worth over $200 billion dollars. Fort Knox is holding a significant national treasure.

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) estimates that there are approximately 28,000 assisted living facilities in the United States that are home to over one million senior adult residents. The average age of an assisted living resident today is 83 years. The collective knowledge, life experience, and wisdom of those residents represent 83 million years. Our country’s assisted living facilities are also home to a significant national treasure.



Inez Caskey and Anna Faye West



On January 13,^, 2011, Agape Senior Kathwood in Columbia, South Carolina, held a birthday celebration for two of its treasured residents that had reached and surpassed the centenarian milestone. Anna Faye West turned 100 the day of the celebration and Inez Caskey turned 103 exactly one week earlier on January 6, 2011.

The birthday girls, along with approximately 30 other residents, celebrated with a delicious chocolate   cake, balloons and traditional happy birthday singing. Both Anna and Inez enjoyed the festivities and extra attention from the staff and residents.

Anna Faye West was born in Etna, North Carolina, and later moved to Swannanoa, near Asheville. Her father was a lawyer and a member of the Georgia House of Representatives.  Following high school graduation, Anna went to work for the Beacon Blanket Company in Swannanoa, where she met and married her husband at the age of 25. Anna worked for Beacon Blanket for 34 years and rose to the position of cost accountant. She retired from the company at age 52 and eventually relocated to Florida with her husband. Anna moved back to South Carolina in 2006 to be closer to her niece and has been a resident of Agape Senior Kathwood since 2007.

Inez Caskey was born in Kershaw, South Carolina, and started her working career as a school teacher, later working for the Department of Social Services. She loved to garden and enjoyed being in the great outdoors whenever possible. Inez often volunteered in the kitchen at Shandon United Methodist Church in Columbia, where she has been a member for over 60 years.



Anna Faye West is Proud to be 100



It is hard to imagine the number of stories that can be told about these two residents’ life journeys spanning over 100 years. Each woman possesses a rich history made up of human connections that have been interwoven over time to create individual life experiences. It is likely that Anna and Inez had many occasions to celebrate over the past 100 years, and it is also likely that they experienced their share of hard times and grief that so often accompanies life. One thing is for sure:  These two gracious women have a combined 203 years of living and are still enjoying each and every day.


Joe B. Nester

Columbia / Forest Acres South Carolina – Agape Senior Kathwood

Agape Senior Assisted Living of Kathwood 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 803-787-1234

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