NEW ORLEANS -- The entire Emeritus Assisted Living (AMEX:ESC) team praises the staff in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, and Louisiana communities for immediately evacuating each resident safely away from Hurricane Rita's path.

The following Emeritus Assisted Living communities were evacuated due to Hurricane Rita: Memorial Oaks, Champion Oaks, Sugar Land Oaks in Houston, Dowlen Oaks in Beaumont, Texas, and Kingsley Place at Lake Charles and Kingsley Place at Lafayette in Louisiana. All seniors from these communities are currently staying in our Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, and Louisiana and Mississippi locations.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated employees in Houston and Beaumont, Texas, and Mississippi and Louisiana for their bravery, courage and immediate assistance to our residents during the challenging evacuations, and overcoming hurdles to get each and every resident to shelter.

Please call our hotline 877-869-7091 to find out the Emeritus Assisted Living location to which your loved one was evacuated.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Emeritus Assisted Living is a national provider of assisted living and related services to seniors. Emeritus is one of the largest developers and operators of freestanding assisted living communities throughout the United States. These communities provide a residential housing alternative for senior citizens who need help with the activities of daily living with an emphasis on assistance with personal care services to provide residents with an opportunity for support in the aging process.

Emeritus currently holds interests in 182 communities representing capacity for approximately 18,400 residents in 34 states. Emeritus's common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol ESC, and its home page can be found on the Internet at www.emeritus.com.