Our Coronavirus Advisory Council meets regularly to provide guidance and early understanding about the latest scientific research to help us evolve our best practices in senior care. This month we want to share recent insights from council member Dr. Eric Sievers regarding the search for a COVID-19 vaccine—as he and his team are in the midst of working on a solution.
Dr. Sievers is leading an early-stage clinical trial for an oral, DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine with Symvivo, a biotech based in Vancouver, BC. Unlike most vaccines that are delivered by an injection in the arm, the Symvivo vaccine would be given by mouth. Their oral vaccine is more easily manufactured in large amounts, relatively quickly and inexpensively and can be stored at room-temperature—all important advantages for conducting a global vaccination campaign.
As part of the effort of developing a safe and protective vaccine, he shares that we’ll collectively need several vaccines to ensure different populations and their vaccine receptivity are served. In particular, Dr. Sievers talks about the importance of a vaccine that specifically protects seniors. “As we age, our immune system requires considerably more vaccine stimulation to achieve an enduring protective response against viruses like varicella zoster, the virus that causes both chicken pox and shingles,” Dr. Sievers says. “Fortunately, multiple different vaccine strategies are under active clinical investigation, so that we can learn what works particularly well for seniors. These range from injecting inactivated virus, similar to the yearly influenza vaccine, to novel technology that delivers a fragment of viral genetic material to stimulate a protective response if the real coronavirus is ever encountered in the future.”
As Dr. Sievers continues his work and can share more about his team’s progress, we will share insights. For now, until a safe and protective vaccine is available and widely distributed, the best protective measures are to continue to follow the safety guidelines set forth by the CDC – follow physical distancing guidelines, wear a mask, and frequently wash your hands. Frequent testing for the virus plays an important role in keeping everyone safe as well.
We will continue to feature additional members of our council in the months ahead, along with their contributions and insights around our residents’ care.
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.