One of our sous chefs surprised our residents with his family’s five new Golden Retriever puppies. These energetic balls of yellow fur and unlimited licks cuddled, played, and visited with our residents for the afternoon. As you could see from their smiles, the joy of a puppy doesn’t fade with age. In fact, research has proven that a pet can have many health benefits not only for the elderly but everyone.
Pets offer more than just companionship and unconditional love. Studies have found that pets boost health and wellbeing, especially in the elderly. Because of their many benefits, Aegis Living has house dogs in most of our communities and offers a pet-friendly policy for our residents who own pets. Animals can help to normalize an environment and put others at ease. Aegis Living has found that pets encourage more interaction among our residents through joy, laughter, and shared memories of past pets.
“At Aegis Living we know that a house isn’t a home for many unless it includes a four-legged, furry friend,” says Rob Liebreich, General Manager of Aegis on Madison. “A therapy dog can often reach our residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s in ways that others might not be able to reach them.”
In Washington, Aegis Living had partnered with Dr. Rahul Khurana, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist. His goal is to maximize the functionality and quality of life of our aging residents, who may be suffering from depression, anxiety, or dementia. He is accompanied on his visits by B.B., his certified therapy dog through the Pet Partners Program. B.B. is a calming, gentle, and reassuring companion who helps soothe and reduce anxiety in many of our residents.
As far back as 1859, Florence Nightingale believed that a small pet served as an excellent companion for the chronically ill. Research has shown that some of the benefits of pet therapy include:
The University of Missouri-Columbia found pet therapy generated hormones that positively affect a person’s mood. A study by Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., RN shows that when an individual pets a dog for a few minutes they will get an immediate release of “feel good” hormones – such as serotonin, beta endorphin, prolactin, and oxytocin. The result is you feel happy, and your cortisol (stress hormones) will decrease which can significantly help with depression.
A loving, furry companion or a visit with Fido may just be what the doctor ordered to boost your mood!
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.