Lay out your red dress, dust off your red heels, or press your red blouse, in February we recognize National Wear Red Day for heart health. Why should you wear red? According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,Coronary Heart Disease is the “#1 killer of women in the United States.” The National Wear Red Day’s goal, which was first observed in 2002, is to bring nationwide attention and to raise heart health awareness.
Positive actions for your heart health
The most common type of heart disease in the elderly is atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque or fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries disrupting the normal flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body. Depending on where this blockage or buildup is located, it can be serious and even lead to a heart attack or stroke. Heart disease is not a normal part of the aging process and can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle.
Best ways to keep your heart healthy:
What are the signs of a heart attack?
First, we recommend that you or the loved one in your care regularly sees a doctor and if you think someone is having a heart attack, contact 911. The most common signs of a heart attack for both men and women are:
According to the American Heart Association, women are more likely to experience the other symptoms associated with a heart attack and may not have any chest pain. And these additional symptoms can be easily confused or rationalized as something other than a heart attack. Those who experience nausea and lightheadedness may simply think that they have a touch of food poisoning or the flu. Some women who experience cold sweats, irritation, and shortness of breath may think these are symptoms of hormonal changes or just “feeling their age.” Females or caregivers of elderly women need to be especially vigilant about these symptoms of a heart attack. Don’t downplay symptoms but seek immediate help.
At Aegis Living, we support our senior residents with a healthy lifestyle to help prevent heart disease and reduce stress. We provide exercise and activity programs to meet the physical limitations of our residents and encourage participation. We provide nutritious and appetizing balanced meals for healthy eating. Our nursing staff monitors the health and medications of our residents. Without the daily duties of maintaining a household, our residents are less stressed and feel free to enjoy their relaxed time with friends and neighbors. Tour one of our communities today!
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.