ISSAQUAH, WA--(Marketwire - March 31, 2009) - Aegis Living, a national leader in senior living and assisted living communities, is pleased to announce it is now offering a unique assisted living residence designed for those that need hospice care. The newly remodeled Dogwood Cottage at Aegis of Issaquah is the only assisted living community in the region created specifically to accommodate hospice patients requiring end of life care. The hospice care residence is the first for Aegis Living which plans to expand the unique care program to other Aegis communities in the coming year.

Aegis of Issaquah, which currently offers both assisted living and memory care services, will provide assisted living care services as well as end of life programs specifically tailored for the residents of Dogwood Cottage. Hospice care will be provided by Providence Hospice or another hospice provider of the resident's choice that will work in conjunction with the staff.

"By creating a residence specifically tailored for hospice patients, we will be able to support residents and their families in a special way. We are constantly striving to find new and better ways to make life better for our residents. Now, we are uniquely positioned to expand that mission by providing families a dedicated, private, caring residence for their loved ones as they complete their life journey," said Emma Cronin, RN/BSBA and executive director of Aegis of Issaquah.

For families facing the inevitable loss of a loved one, hospice can provide the support, care, and guidance to celebrate a life journey that is ending while helping to manage the grief and loss. The Dogwood Cottage contains 14 fully appointed private apartments available for hospice residents. Recognizing the importance of privacy and for keeping loved ones nearby, each unit includes a daybed to be used for overnight guests. The cottage also contains several beautifully appointed public spaces designed to provide families and residents with areas to meet, socialize, and support each other.

Residents of Dogwood Cottage will pay a daily rate which will include room, meals, and assisted living care. To provide families with a flexible and accommodating program, Aegis will not charge any community fees or have any minimum or maximum stay requirements. All hospice services as provided by Providence Hospice or any other organization are covered under Medicare benefits so there are no additional charges for the program.

For more information, contact Emma Cronin at (425) 392-8100 or emma.cronin@aegisliving.com.

About Aegis Living

Aegis Living is a national leader in retirement and assisted living, offering a progressive selection of senior residences to meet the growing needs of today's aging population. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, privately held Aegis Living operates 34 communities in Washington, California and Nevada. More information about Aegis Living is at www.AegisLiving.com.