Protecting Your Brain: Lifestyle Changes That May Prevent Dementia
Discover 12 proven strategies to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, from exercise and sleep to social connection and mental health.
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Aging is a natural part of life, but for some individuals, getting older can take a toll on their health. In these cases, assisted livingcommunities like Aegis offer a new, better equipped second home.
Kristen Moored, Aegis at Marymoor’s director of operations and care, knows how important her employees’ comfort and well-being are to the success of Aegis as a whole. With a background in customer service, Moored believes that providing great leadership and a welcoming work environment makes the employees want to offer exceptional service as well.
While this employees-come-first policy may sound awkward to some people, as many businesses strive to put their customers first, Moored explained in an interview:
“I truly believe that if you treat the people around you well then they’ll treat others well … It creates a ripple effect from when you walk in the door and the concierge and care team are happy and love what they do, they treat the residents well, and therefore the residents treat their families well when they come to visit them.”
When she first began working in this field, Moored had a misconception of what assisted living meant. Since working at Aegis at Marymoor, she has seen the company overcome many industry stigmas: Aegis communities are far from being residential areas that are sterile, cold and unwelcoming.
She said that Aegis Living is a place where families want to spend time with their parents. When eating a meal many would rather enjoy a meal at the community rather than dining out at a restaurant.
“When people come to visit their family members, they have no idea they’re walking into a place that is so welcoming and so homey,” she added. “I’ve noticed it’s definitely a gathering place for families of all the residents that live here and look forward to group events.”
Moored noted one resident success story that continues to demonstrate Aegis’ commitment to providing individuals with a caring home environment. The individual came from a skilled nursing facility, was wheelchair bound and eating on a mechanical diet. The family didn’t think that she would live much longer. After coming to Aegis at Marymoor, she now walks with the help of a walker, eats normal meals and is one of the most active residents in her community.
Moored said that this resident is currently the healthiest she’s been in a long time, something she chalks up to the resident’s renewed will to live. With such a phenomenal home life, it can be much easier to look forward to the days ahead.
While this particular resident was physically limited, Aegis works with seniors of all levels, whether they can live semi-independently and require some assistance or they have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and need more extensive care. Aegis specializes in memory care and is a leader in the field, but even with such a variety of patient needs, the staff works to keep care consistent and track patients as they progress through constant communication between the nurses, care staff and management team.
It can be a difficult time for families when they realize a loved one needs to move to an assisted living community. It’s not an easy decision to make, but Moored believes that Aegis makes this transition easier because the staff loves their residents like family.
“We’re not treating people differently because they’re older. We’re not treating people differently because they can’t fully take care of themselves or if they have memory issues … These people deserve fantastic food and fantastic activities, and they deserve to have their lives they’ve been living honored and celebrated,” Moored said.
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.