Rock Hill Assisted Living Resident "Papa" Carroll Wilkie Loves to Garden

Agapé Assisted Living resident “Papa” Carroll Wilkie enjoys spending his free time tending to a garden he started in the back of his community. The garden provides a great physical activity as well as a social opportunity for everyone involved. Many other residents within the community enjoy a view of the garden from the windows of their apartments. There is buzz and excitement about the growth of the garden throughout the community and all are anxiously awaiting the first batch of fresh vegetables.

There have been numerous studies that have shown the health benefits of gardening. Working in the fresh air and sunshine, completing tasks with a purpose, and having a sense of accomplishment are all benefits derived from gardening. Agapé Senior Assisted Living of Rock Hill is seeking ways constantly to improve the lives of senior adults.

Cameron Cunningham

Rock Hill SouthCarolina 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. Rock Hill, Fort Mill,York, Tega Cay, Lake Wyle – Call us 803-207-8000

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South Carolina Dementia Care

By, Adelle Stanley

Agape Senior Director of Dementia programs

As we learned last week dementia is not a specific disease. It is a general term used to describe many symptoms that cause different brain disorders. Just as Pudding is the heading for many different types of pudding. Dementia is just a heading that makes you think of many different types of diseases that cause problems preforming activities of daily living (things that someone does to go through the day).

Normal Aging

We all know that as we age we sometimes become less able to recall names, places and faces. Normal Aging does not affect you activities of daily living. (ADL)

When someone thinks they have a memory problem they should go to a knowledgeable physician who is keeping pace with the fast changing information about dementia. The physician will have to do many tests to find out what type of dementia the person has. One of the first diagnoses may be:

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

With MCI a person has problems with their memory. These problems are bad enough that other people notice. They would also show upon an evaluation the physician may do. The physician will do testing to find out what the problem is. MCI may be what the physician tells the person they have until the physician does testing and is able to determine what disease is causing the diagnoses of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the number one cause of a dementia diagnoses.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.

Next week we will learn about other dementia diseases…It is so important to get a correct diagnosis

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.West Columbia, Lexington, Springdale, Cayce, Oak Grove, St Andrews, Columbia,South Congaree, Pine ridge, Red Bank. Call us at 800-411- 2427

Agapé Senior Assisted Living Garden City Rolls out Red Carpet for Residents

Imagine bringing your Grandmother into an assisted living community on her very first day. Now imagine the moment she enters the front door being immediately greeted by several staff members who welcome her to her new home with a red carpet rolled out for her entrance. You can see the love,kindness and joy in the eyes of the staff as they welcome her home.

Now picture the administrator giving your Grandmother a personal tour of the community and pointing out key places where she will most likely want to frequent. Then imagine her going to her room and finding her door covered with balloons and her new family, the neighboring residents, there to welcome her to her new home in Agape Senior’s Assisted Living in Garden City.

There is only one person that makes this kind of magic happen daily in Garden City. Meet JoAnn. JoAnn is the Life Enrichment Coordinator for the Garden City, community. This is what she expects from herself on a daily basis…and achieves. From the moment every new resident enters the door at Agapé Senior Assisted Living in Garden City, JoAnn coordinates a “red carpet experience.”

Now take a peek at the rest of your Grandmother’s first day. What a surprise she has when she realizes that she does not even have time to sit in her room because the first activity is starting; it is her first game of Bunco. Soon after, she finds one of the many newspapers available throughout the community and a new friend to talk with about current events. Suddenly the smell of beef tips over rice catch Grandma’s attention. Her new friend and she head to the dining room with JoAnn leading them along with a smile. Grandma is pleased when she samples the culinary delights that the Agapé chef has prepared!

Right after lunch, members of a local church come by and Grandma joins in a sing-a-long. She sings her heart out to her favorite hymns along with 40 of her new neighbors. Before dinner, Grandma enjoys one of Garden City’s famous “happy hours” where she sips a cool beverage while listening to live music. Then a delicious dinner is served, and Grandma ends her first day with a smile.

JoAnn makes every day for every resident in the community as festive and happy as Grandma’s first day. You might say she has a magic touch. She certainly has an overflowing heart and a passion for bringing joy to the elderly. Bringing a loved one to assisted living can be an ordeal or a celebration. People like JoAnn make it a celebration. Want to find out more? Come to Agape Senior Assisted Living in Garden City and ask for JoAnn!

Chris Little



Garden City /Murrells Inlet South Carolina Assisted Living

Assisted Living of GardenCity provides senior-focused solutions. In working with seniors and theirfamilies, the dedicated staff strives to optimize quality of life by embracingindividuality and preserving dignity. Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, MyrtleBeach, Pawley’s Island, Socastee, Bucksport, Burgess SC. – Call Agape SeniorGarden City at 843-357-0200 or 800-411-2427

Columbia SC Agapé Senior Kathwood Provides Royal Coverage for Residents

The life enrichment coordinator for Kathwood Assisted Living, Michelle Oden, is not going to pass up the opportunity for her residents to enjoy the Royal Wedding. Michelle is creating a wedding like atmosphere by decorating the community room where the residents will be able to enjoy the rebroadcast of the wedding on a large flat screen TV.

See Article in State Newspaper

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. Columbia, Forest Acres, Blythewood, Elgin, lugoff, Camden – Call us 803-787-1234

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South Carolina Alzheimer Dementia Tip of the Week

Alzheimer’s or Dementia… Know the difference it does matter… If you are asked what type of pudding you like you would automatically think of a type of pudding. Pistachio is my favorite. Pudding is the inclusive heading and Pistachio, chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, and strawberry are types. The same is true of Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Dementia is the inclusive heading and Alzheimer’s is a type of Dementia just as Pistachio is a type of pudding. When you or your loved one go to the Dr. to find out what is causing the dementia he may tell you that you have mild cognitive impairment until he can tell you what type of dementia you have. All dementia really means is that you are not thinking correctly and it is interfering with the activities of daily living (ADL’s) You should never just leave the answer with dementia because there are some dementia’s that can be reversed. We will find out about those and others next week.

Adelle Stanley
Agape Senior Director of Dementia Programs

West Columbia South Carolina – Agape Senior

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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. West Columbia, Lexington, Springdale, Cayce, Oak Grove, St Andrews, Columbia, South Congaree, Pine ridge, Red Bank. Call us at 800-411- 2427

Rock Hill Assisted Living; Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Care

Where can you find people that perform miracles for those in need, day in and day out? That question may call to mind images of Calcuttaor other far off cites.

Think again!

Think Agape Senior’s assisted living inRock Hill,SC.Now imagine a confident young woman with a heart full of love. That’s Jennifer Peay. Now hear about one of the everyday miracles that occurred right here in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in Jennifer’s own words:

“Ever since I have been an assisted living administrator, I have kept a commitment to make personal contact with at least six of my residents each day. Personal contact for me means I sit down with them, talk to them, get to know them, and ask them how they are. I like to keep an eye on our residents because sometimes just a slight change in behavior can indicate something big is going on.”

“I had one resident that had been with us for about two weeks. She recently had a stroke, which had affected her speech and she was frustrated by her inability to speak. She knew what she wanted to say, but was unable to get the words out. I immediately connected with her because I used to be a speech therapist, and I understood how upsetting that can be. I explained to her that I had worked with many people that had been in her shoes, and that I could help her come up with ways to communicate. She immediately lit up and connected with me as well. Since then, I worked with her and she has been settling in.’”

“On Tuesday, I noticed that she was more distraught than usual over her garbled words. She was having a harder time opening her apartment door as well. I mentioned to our physical therapists that I noticed this small change. I asked if they could work with her on opening her door and on a communication board for her.”

“Wednesday morning I saw even more of a decline. She was leaning slightly to the right. I noticed in the dining room that she was not picking up her fork to eat. I sat down beside her and started talking to her. I asked her if something was wrong. The look in her eyes told me that something was going on, but she could not understand what it was nor communicate it. I realized she has forgotten the sequencing necessary to feed herself.”

“I immediately notified our physician and shared my concerns. I wondered if she was having a slow hemorrhagic bleed. He came up to look at her. He agreed that she needed to have a scan. They are able to get one scheduled for the following MONDAY. I said, “No, that is not good enough. She needs one today.”

“The roadblock was that her family was inTexasand they cannot get into town to sign the paperwork to consent for the scan. I told Brenda my medical technician to call the family and give them the imaging center information and to make the consent form happen and that we would get her there today even if I had to take her personally. Brenda coordinated the consent and we got her an earlier appointment.”

“Friday morning, we transported her via ambulance to the hospital. Her problem was caught in time. And thankfully, our own doctor was ultimately able to help this resident. “

“I felt so grateful I was able to help this lady get the care she needed in time by noticing the changes in her behavior and then insisting that she get medical attention sooner rather than later. I am so thankful that she did not suffer through the weekend and that we had a chance to provide her with relief.”

That’s Jennifer describing an ordinary day in the life of an Agape Senior administrator. It’s also the story of what a difference a dedicated, committed person can make.

Mother Theresa has told us that to change the world we must “Do small things with great love.” That’s what you’ll see if you visit Jennifer and the many other staff members like her in the long term care facilities of Agape Senior inRock Hilland all over the state.

Where can you find people who perform miracles day after day? There are more miracle workers than you can count at Agape Senior’s assisted living facilities.

If you or someone you know needs extraordinary care and lots of love…and maybe a miracle you might want to tell them about Agape Senior’s facilities, because miracles abound there every day. And at Agape Senior, that’s ordinary.

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. Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Tega Cay, Lake Wyle – Call us 803-207-8000

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South Carolina Senior Care CEO Urges Delegation to Push for VA Benefits

Senior Care Executive Urges Delegation to Push Veteran’s Benefits



The founder and CEO of the largest company serving the state’s elderly citizens is urging South Carolina’s Congressional delegation to find ways to help veterans realize they may be missing out on billions of dollars in benefits.

Speaking Tuesday at the S.C. State Chamber of Commerce’s annual Washington Night, Agapé Senior founder and president G. Scott Middleton of West Columbia said, “there are tens of thousands of veterans in South Carolina who may be eligible for VA benefits, but either are not aware of the possibility, or don’t believe this could be true, or just simply do not know how to do the paperwork.”

Middleton said he learned about the dilemma as part of his research on issues involving the aging when he was writing his latest book, Parent Talk: The Nine Conversations To Have With Your Aging Loved Ones.

Agapé Senior is a statewide company headquartered in West Columbia that serves the needs of elderly citizens and employs 1,300 South Carolinians.

Middleton, a member of the Board of Directors of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, said his company is trying to solve the communication problem by conducting seminars at Agapé facilities in Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, West Columbia, Rock Hill, Conway, Garden City, Laurens, and at many other locations across the state. Direct mail is used to invite veterans and their spouses to Agapé facilities where they can discuss their eligibility at no cost.

Middleton told the delegation, “I am here today to urge you all to help get this information to our heroes so that they can access the benefits that they so richly deserve. “

Veterans or their widows are likely missing out on billions of dollars a year nationwide. Widows are hit the hardest. “Only one in seven widows who possibly could qualify actually receive checks. These men and women were there for us. Now we need to be there for them,” said Middleton.

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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. Midlands Region, Piedmont Region, Pee Dee Region, Low Country Region, West Columbia, Lexington, Springdale, Cayce, Oak Grove, St Andrews, Columbia, South Congaree, Pine ridge, Red Bank. Call us at 800-411- 2427