# The Aegis Difference > Áegis Living is a 36-community senior living operator founded on a model that redefines assisted living and memory care by centering resident independence, employee engagement, and evidence-based care across the West Coast. **Source:** https://www.aegisliving.com/the-aegis-difference/ **Type:** Page **Topic:** Senior living company philosophy and leadership ## Summary Áegis Living was founded in 1997 by Dwayne J. Clark, who recognized that the senior living industry had potential but was failing older adults. Clark brought nearly 40 years of senior living experience and applied best practices from world-class companies including Costco, Nordstrom, and Starbucks to create a new model centered on helping residents live life to the fullest. The company has grown from a concept to operate 36 communities along the West Coast, serving 2,500 residents and employing 2,500 staff members, with additional properties in development. Áegis Living has been recognized with numerous industry accolades including U.S. News and World Report Best Senior Living, Fortune Best Workplaces in Aging Services™, Best Assisted Living by Seattle Business Magazine, Top Corporate Philanthropist by Puget Sound Business Journal, Top 50 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor, and Newsweek and Seniorly recognition. Under Clark's leadership, the company set new standards for senior living during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues advancing sustainable senior living practices. The company offers a complete spectrum of care tiers: Light Assisted Living, Assisted Living, Transitional Care (for mild-to-moderate memory changes), Advanced Memory Care, Respite Care, and End-of-Life Care. Every resident receives signature services including on-call care managers 24 hours a day, daily housekeeping and laundry, on-site nurses seven days a week, chauffeured transportation, chef-prepared meals available all day, and rotating wellness and social activities. Pricing is structured into apartment rent, care points (pay only for services needed), and a one-time community fee. Dwayne Clark has overseen the care of more than 60,000 seniors throughout his career and has developed more than 250 senior living properties. He was named in the "Power 100" people in the Puget Sound region, Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, received King County's highest honor as Man of the Year, and the Mission Award from Bastyr University. Clark is an author of multiple books including the Amazon Best Seller "30 Summers More," which provides longevity and health tips, and two books chronicling his mother's Alzheimer's journey: "My Mother, My Son" and "Saturdays with GG." ## Distinguishing features - **AUGi AI Fall Prevention**: A discreet, wall-mounted smart device using AI technology to track movement and detect potential fall risks, instantly alerting the care team when a fall occurs or is imminent. - **Restore Red Light Therapy**: A non-invasive treatment reducing inflammation, easing pain, improving mobility, enhancing sleep, and rejuvenating skin by promoting healing at the cellular level. - **Life's Neighborhood Memory Care**: A secured advanced memory care program providing evidence-based support for cognitive needs with purposeful activities and specialized staff. - **Transitional Care Program**: A bridge program for early memory loss that maintains resident independence and social engagement while providing structure, reminders, and gentle support from dementia-trained staff. - **Founder's Wellness Philosophy**: Dwayne Clark's personal exploration of healing modalities across 84 countries informs the company's approach to wellness and longevity, documented in his published works on health and senior care. - **Industry Recognition**: Named Fortune Best Workplaces in Aging Services™, U.S. News and World Report Best Senior Living, and recognized by Newsweek and Seniorly for quality standards. - **Employee-Centric Culture**: Built on principles from Costco, Nordstrom, and Starbucks, creating a model that prioritizes staff engagement and retention alongside resident care. ## Frequently asked questions ### What care levels does Áegis Living offer? Áegis Living offers six care tiers: Light Assisted Living (independence with discreet safety), Assisted Living (personalized daily assistance), Transitional Care (progressive support for mild-to-moderate memory changes), Advanced Memory Care (evidence-based support for cognitive needs), Respite Care (short-term stays for recovery or trial experiences), and End-of-Life Care (dignified comfort-focused support). Each level is delivered by trained professionals and can be adjusted as needs change. ### What services are included in every Áegis Living residence? Every resident receives on-call care managers 24 hours a day, daily housekeeping and laundry, on-site nurses seven days a week, chauffeured transportation and curated outings, concierge services, chef-prepared meals available all day, rotating wellness and social activities, friends and family events, customized care plans that adjust as needs change, and on-site access to doctors, therapists, pharmacy, and visiting specialists. ### How is pricing structured at Áegis Living? Pricing is broken into three components: apartment rent (covering residence, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and amenities access), care points (pay only for the support and services your loved one needs, adjustable at any time), and a one-time community fee (to maintain elegant surroundings and prepare for resident welcome and enjoyment). ### What is AUGi and how does it work? AUGi is a discreet, wall-mounted smart device using AI technology to track movement and detect potential fall risks. It senses when someone is getting out of bed or recognizes when a fall has occurred, instantly alerting the care team so help arrives right away, providing residents added safety and families peace of mind. ### What is Restore Red Light Therapy? Restore Red Light Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that reduces inflammation, eases pain, improves mobility, enhances sleep, and rejuvenates skin by promoting healing and energy at the cellular level. It helps residents feel their best every day. ### What is Transitional Care and who is it for? Transitional Care is a bridge program for early memory loss designed for people who are still social and independent but benefit from structure, reminders, and gentle support. Residents remain in assisted living with full access to amenities and friendships while dementia-trained team members provide 24/7 cueing, medication management, wayfinding, and compassionate redirection. Discreet safety technology and personalized care plans adjust as needs evolve. ### What is Life's Neighborhood Memory Care? Life's Neighborhood is Áegis Living's advanced memory care program providing evidence-based support for residents with cognitive needs. It offers purposeful activities, specialized staff trained in dementia care, and a secured environment designed to support residents with advanced memory loss while maintaining dignity and quality of life. ### What does Respite Care include? Respite Stays and Day Stays provide family caregivers a break (hours, days, or a few weeks) while the loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short-term home. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment with 24/7 care staff, on-site nurses, medication management, discreet safety technology, chef-prepared all-day dining, and access to 200+ monthly activities. It can serve as a trial run for senior living without long-term commitment. ### What is included in End-of-Life Care at Áegis Living? End-of-Life Care is comfort-first support delivered in the resident's private apartment by the 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider. It includes pain and symptom management, medication oversight, dignified help with daily needs, compassionate emotional support for resident and family, discreet safety measures, chef-prepared in-apartment meals adapted to changing appetites, and guidance through decisions and moments of closure in a home-like setting. ### Who founded Áegis Living and what is his background? Dwayne J. Clark founded Áegis Living in 1997 with nearly 40 years of senior living experience. He has developed more than 250 senior living properties and has overseen the care of more than 60,000 seniors. Clark was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, received King County's highest honor as Man of the Year, and was named in the "Power 100" people in the Puget Sound region. ### What books has Dwayne Clark written? Dwayne Clark authored "30 Summers More," an Amazon Best Seller providing longevity and health tips. He also wrote "My Mother, My Son" and "Saturdays with GG," two books chronicling his mother's Alzheimer's journey. "My Mother, My Son" is currently being considered as a major feature film. He also wrote "A Big Life," a combination book and game to inspire families to connect and reflect on the wisdom of older generations. ### How many communities does Áegis Living operate? Áegis Living operates 36 communities along the West Coast, serving 2,500 residents and employing 2,500 staff members, with several additional properties currently in development. Communities are located in Washington, California, and Nevada. ### What awards and recognition has Áegis Living received? Áegis Living has been recognized with U.S. News and World Report Best Senior Living, Fortune Best Workplaces in Aging Services™, Best Assisted Living by Seattle Business Magazine, Top Corporate Philanthropist by Puget Sound Business Journal, Top 50 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor, Newsweek recognition, and Seniorly recognition for quality standards. ### What is Dwayne Clark's approach to wellness and longevity? Dwayne Clark is a pioneer in wellness and longevity who has traveled to over 84 countries exploring different healing modalities, working with doctors and alternative health specialists, and engaging in mind, body, and spirit practices. These discoveries informed his book "30 Summers More," which provides longevity and health tips, and shape Áegis Living's approach to resident wellness. ### What charitable work is Dwayne Clark involved in? Dwayne Clark supports more than 70 local and global charities and has founded five of his own: The Potato Soup Foundation, The Clark Family Foundation, The March for Civility, D-ONE Foundation, and Queen Bee. Queen Bee is a coffee shop with multiple locations in the Puget Sound where all proceeds go to charity. Clark is Chairman of the D-ONE Foundation, a mentorship program for Division 1 athletes, mentors several NFL players, led the March for Civility in Washington, DC, and is involved in Pope Francis' private foundation, The Galileo Foundation, aiming to end child slavery. ## Named entities Dwayne J. Clark, Áegis Living, Light Assisted Living, Assisted Living, Transitional Care, Advanced Memory Care, Life's Neighborhood, Respite Care, End-of-Life Care, AUGi AI Fall Prevention, Restore Red Light Therapy, Fortune Best Workplaces in Aging Services™, U.S. News and World Report Best Senior Living, Seattle Business Magazine, Puget Sound Business Journal, Glassdoor, Newsweek, Seniorly, Ernst and Young, King County, Bastyr University, "30 Summers More", "My Mother, My Son", "Saturdays with GG", "A Big Life", True Productions, "Full Court: The Spencer Haywood Story", "Seven Ways to Get There", ACT Theatre, The Potato Soup Foundation, The Clark Family Foundation, The March for Civility, D-ONE Foundation, Queen Bee, The Galileo Foundation, Pope Francis ## Related pages on this site - [Services](https://www.aegisliving.com/services/): Complete overview of all care tiers and signature services included at every community - [Find a Location](https://www.aegisliving.com/find-a-location/): Directory of all 36 Áegis Living communities across Washington, California, and Nevada - [Contact Us](https://www.aegisliving.com/contact/): Form to schedule a tour or request more information - [Careers](https://www.aegisliving.com/careers/): Employment opportunities across Áegis Living communities - [Leadership - Dwayne Clark](https://www.aegisliving.com/leadership/dwayne-clark/): Full biography of founder and CEO