Each time you visit the doctor, you are asked about your family history. Why does your physician care about your Grandpa Bob’s heart attack or your mom’s high cholesterol? Some diseases have shown to be genetic, and your doctor wants to understand your risk level.
Family members have a lot of factors in common such as genetics, lifestyle, and environment. These can be important clues to conditions that may run among relatives. Patterns may emerge over several generations and even point to future generations who may be at risk. You can’t change your genes, but you can use this information as power to stay healthy.
Knowing your family medical history will allow you to be aware of your risk of certain diseases and how you may be able to prevent or detect an illness early. Health care providers may schedule more frequent checkups or testing for those who have a family history of a disease. Screenings, such as mammograms and colorectal cancer screening, can detect cancers at an early stage. Screenings for risk factors, like high cholesterol and high blood pressure, can help to prevent your chance of an illness developing. Also, knowing that you have a family history may encourage you to adopt a healthier lifestyle, quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, or exercise regularly.
When researching your family history, note these common conditions that can run among family members:
Now that you know what is at stake, how do you develop a family medical history? You will need to discuss with you family members (either as a group or individually) that you are compiling this information for your health and are happy to share what you find. The U.S. Surgeon General has a helpful online tool, My Family Health Portrait, to help you organize your family history. Make it clear that the purpose of this task is to understand if you or your relatives are at higher risk of a medical condition and to share this information with your medical professional. Keep in mind that some relatives may be hesitant to share their personal information. Offer to speak with them however it is most comfortable, perhaps an email might put them at ease. Listen to their answers without judgment and respect their confidentiality.
At Aegis Living, we are concerned about the health of each of our residents and their beloved family members. We understand the importance of a complete family health history and encourage our families to learn about and record your family’s health history.
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.