While traditional assisted living communities focus on keeping seniors physically healthy, Aegis Living commits itself not only to helping those with Alzheimer’s feel safe and comfortable and find meaning in the later years of life but also to improving cognitive function. Aegis communities implement a variety of tactics for enhancing brain function, from mind-healthy diet plans to daily games that stimulate gray matter. Seattle’s Aegis Living Madison community even has its own Brain Exercise Center, a space for working out one’s brain much like one would exercise their muscles.
The aim of the Brain Exercise Center is to keep the mind strong, healthy and sharp. It utilizes technology – software and brain-stimulating programs clinically proven to enhance memory retention in those who stick to the curriculum. As Madison’s general manager explained in an interview, it utilized two main elements: Dakim and Saido, both of which have a neuroscience basis. Each aims to increase brain neuroplasticity and the mind’s ability to process new information as well as the speed at which it works. It’s about recall, and though the results have been anecdotal, those who utilize the software on a regular basis seem to maintain their sharpness.
Dakim BrainFitness is a computerized system that was developed in the U.S. and geared toward improving the elderly brain. It focuses on improving cognitive function in two essential areas: memory retention and language ability. Seniors complete a series of web-based brain exercises – intellectually-challenging brain games of more than 100 different types and thousands of individual exercises that incorporate music, video, graphics and a Boomer-focused sense of humor. They focus on a range of skills, including language, problem-solving visual spatial processing, calculation and both short- and long-term memory. Among the many benefits Dakim can provide are the abilities to:
The positive effects of the Dakim program have been tested and proven in a clinical setting. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine conducted a study that looked into how these computerized exercises affect the Alzheimer’s brain. The study involved 84 participants from retirement communities in Southern California, half of which completed 40 sessions of the Dakim training program within a two-month period. The other half was the control group and put on a waiting list to partake in the BrainFitness program. Neuropsychological testing at the end of this period showed that those who engaged in the exercises for two months had significantly improved delayed memory time, immediate memory and language skills.
Developed in Japan by the Kumon Institute of Education, Saido is a system of reading, writing and basic math that helps secure “working memory” in the prefrontal cortex. It has been successfully used for more than a dozen years at assisted living communities throughout Japan, working to reverse and slow dementia. It engages participants in simple yet precise exercises that stimulate the frontal lobe and, in effect, improve the learner’s ability to retain new memories.
The three-part program at Aegis Living Madison is based on this clinically tested system. The triad of components are geared toward the Alzheimer’s brain and consist of:
When done on a regular and continuous basis, these exercises have yielded excellent results. As far as the math problems, the act of solving an equation stimulates the memory to recall the proper way to come to the correct answer.
“Everyone has gone through at least some basic schooling, and if that recall is still in their brain, then we have a positive connection with some historic memories that allows for the brain to start saying, ‘Oh wait a second, I remember this,’ and start revving up. It affects the working memory – memory that has some history to it – that then seems to have a positive overlay on the overall brain functioning in different areas. It starts in one area and has a positive impact on more parts of the brain.”
The Brain Exercise Center is open to all seniors on a voluntary basis – no one is required to complete the brain-boosting programs. However, the staff at Aegis Living encourage residents to take an active role in maintaining cognitive function and reward those who do: Seniors who complete the brain fitness program receive $50 of Mad Money, a form of currency that residents can use to purchase items at Aegis Living. For example, the Seattle location held a live, on-site auction with a real auctioneer, and seniors were able to bid on and purchase items with their Mad Money.
At Aegis Living, brain exercise is paramount. The staff work with experienced cognitive health experts to help seniors their gray matter supple, healthy and active. The Brain Exercise Center is part of this effort, but there’s much more to the brain fitness initiative. Along with keeping the heart working at top capacity through hydration and healthy eating, these communities encourage other brain-boosting activities, such as social interaction through clubs, hobbies and other personal interests as well as the pursuit of life goals for greater fulfillment and mental stimulation.
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.