Agape Care Group holds grand opening for Baldwin location

Published 10:00 am Monday, September 19, 2022

Near the end of 2020, Agape Care Group expanded into Georgia, and according to regional director Ashlee Vickers, the company has continued growing its presence in the state in the years since. 

“Agape Care Group and its affiliates now serve over 85% of the counties in the state of Georgia along with operations across South Carolina and part of North Carolina,” she said. 

One such location is in Baldwin County. The local affiliate held its grand opening on Sept. 14. 

Agape Care Group acquired Serenity Hospice in June 2021 after Serenity spent more than 14 years providing service to Baldwin and surrounding counties. 

As Vickers explained, an office has been in Milledgeville since 2007. She called Agape “a new name to an old face.” 

“We are the same local people you see at church and at the grocery store. What Agape brought to the table was added resources and structure to support caring for more people in the area.” 

Vickers herself is a local to the area who manages several branches for Agape Care Group in her position as regional director.

“I’ve been working in business operations my whole career and in the last few years found my way to hospice,” Vickers said of her career path.

In the time since the acquisition, Vickers said that Agape has seen an uptick in the number of families impacted through its services. Not only that, but she also says thanks to the added resources provided by Agape, they have seen staffing growth and local facility impact. 

Agape seeks to be known for its patient-family experience and its ability to deliver high quality care. Vickers said this starts with the local community. 

“We are a local hospice caring for our local patients and families,” she said. 

Agape’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 24/7 support for patients and families is also available. 

As Vickers explained, hospice supplies an in-home care team for patients going through a terminal illness. Each team is comprised of nurses, a social worker, a chaplain, hospice nurse aides, and a medical director, all focused on the care of the patient and family. Hospice also provides and covers the disease-related medical equipment and medication.

Services, according to Vickers, are funded by Medicare Part A, Medicaid, and most commercial insurance policies. Agape brings the care to its patients, whether that be in their home or in a facility. 

“As the need grows in the communities we serve, we will continue to add the clinicians necessary to care for those families who need us most at end of life,” Vickers said. 

What makes them unique is right there in the name of the business. 

“It’s all in the name – love. We serve with love. The team cares deeply about our mission and desires to give support and create meaningful experiences,” Vickers said. “These aren’t just words in a mission statement, but core values of the entire care team.”