REGENT ASSISTED LIVING, INC.

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made this 12th day of April,
1999, by and between REGENT ASSISTED LIVING, INC., an Oregon corporation (the
"Company"), and LOUIS SWART ("Executive") to be effective the date hereof.

                                    RECITALS:

     A. The Company is engaged in the business of developing and operating
assisted living residences for senior citizens (the "Business").

     B. Executive possesses certain skills, expertise and contacts related to
the Business.

     C. Because of those skills, expertise and contacts, the Company desires to
employ Executive, and Executive desires to accept employment with the Company,
on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

                                   AGREEMENT:

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and mutual agreements set
forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

     1. Employment; Term. The Company hereby employs Executive to perform the
duties described herein, and Executive hereby accepts employment with the
Company, for a term commencing on the date hereof and expiring at the close of
business on April 11, 2004, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section
6 below.

     2. Position and Duties.

          2.1 Position. During the term of his employment Executive shall serve
as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Executive shall make available all of
his business time, attention, skill and efforts for performing services for the
Company, and shall devote as much of his business time, attention, skill and
efforts to the performance of such services as is required by the Company's
Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors"). Executive shall, at all times, be
subject to the authority of the Board of Directors.

          2.2 General Terms of Employment. Executive shall be subject to the
general terms and conditions of employment applicable to employees of the
Company, as established by the Board of Directors from time to time, including,
without limitation, all conditions relating to compliance with federal and/or
state laws and other governmental rules and regulations issued thereunder as the
same may be in effect from time to time.


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     3. Compensation.

          3.1 Base Salary. As compensation for Executive's services under this
Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive during the term of employment an
annual salary (the "Base Salary") of One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars
($175,000), subject to all applicable income tax withholding and other payroll
taxes. The Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the Company's normal
payroll practices or on such other basis mutually agreed upon by the parties.
The Board of Directors (or the Compensation Committee of the board of Directors)
may adjust the Base Salary upwards, but not downwards, on an annual basis.

          3.2 Annual Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual
bonus to be determined and paid at the time and in the manner established
annually by the Board of Directors.

     4. Benefits. During the term of his employment, Executive shall be entitled
to and shall receive all benefits that are customarily provided by the Company
to it employees generally, subject to any eligibility requirements.

     5. Reimbursement of Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse Executive
for all reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by Executive in performing
his obligations under this Agreement, provided that:

          5.1 Each such expenditure is incurred by Executive in accordance with
such policy guidelines as may be established by the Board of Directors from time
to time; and

          5.2 Executive furnishes to the Company adequate records and other
documentary evidence required by federal and state statutes and regulations
issued by the appropriate taxing authorities for the substantiation of each such
expenditure.

     6. Termination of Employment.

          6.1 Termination of the Company for Cause. The Company may terminate
this Agreement and Executive's employment with the Company hereunder, effective
upon delivery of written notice of termination to Executive setting forth the
basis of such termination, for Cause, which shall be defined as any of the
following:

               (a) Any misappropriation of funds or property of the Company by
          Executive;

               (b) The conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere by
          Executive of a felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude;

               (c) Elective's engagement in illegal or immoral conduct tending
          to place Executive or the Company, by association with Executive, in
          disrepute;

               (d) Indulgence in alcohol or drugs to an extent that renders
          Executive generally unable or unfit to perform his duties hereunder;

               (e) Executive's gross dereliction of duty; or


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               (f) Any act or omission that constitutes a material breach by
          Executive of his obligations under this Agreement.

          On the effective date of termination, the Company shall pay to
Executive his Base Salary accrued through the date of termination. No annual
bonus for the fiscal year in which termination is effective or for any
subsequent year will be paid.

          6.2 Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may
terminate this Agreement and Executive's employment with the Company hereunder,
effective upon delivery of written notice of termination to Executive, at any
time without Cause, as defined above. Upon any such termination without Cause,
Executive shall be entitled to a cash payment from the Company. If Executive was
employed by the Company for less than one calendar year the cash payment shall
be equal to one-half of the Executive's yearly Base Salary at the rate in effect
on the date of termination. Otherwise, the cash payment shall equal the
Executive's yearly Base Salary at the rate in effect on the date of termination.
The Company and Executive agree that Executive shall have the responsibilities,
duties and authority as are reasonably consistent with Executive's position as
the of the Company, and that the reduction of Executive's responsibilities,
duties and authority materially below such level, a transfer of Executive from
the Company's principal executive office, the physical move of the principal
executive office to a location more than 45 miles from its current location, or
a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any stock option agreement
with Executive, shall be deemed a termination of Executive without Cause.

          6.3 Termination for Death or Disability. Executive's obligations and
employment hereunder shall terminate immediately, without further notice or
action, upon either of the following events:

               (a) The death of Executive. In such event, the Company shall pay
          to Executive's estate his Base Salary and any other rights (including
          the annual bonus, if any) accrued to the date of death.

               (b) Executive shall be unable to perform the normal duties of his
          employment for a period of 90 days as a result of illness or injury.
          In such event, the Company shall pay to Executive has Base Salary for
          the 90-day period following the date active services cease and any
          other rights (including the annual bonus, if any) accrued to that
          date. Thereafter, Executive shall receive from the Company only such
          disability income as may be received by the Company from policies
          covering Executive, if any, and vested benefits under any employee
          benefit plan in accordance with the terms of that plan.

          6.4 Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate his employment
with the Company hereunder at any time by providing 60 days' prior written
notice to the Company. On the effective date of termination, the Company shall
pay to Executive his Base Salary and any rights accrued through the date of
termination.

     7. Restrictive Covenants.

          Executive shall not, except on behalf of the Company, either directly
or indirectly, on his own account, or as an employee, consultant, agent,
partner, joint venturer, owner, officer, director or stockholder of any other
person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, or in any other
capacity, in any way:


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          7.1 During the term of his employment, within the United States of
America, including its possessions and territories, conduct, engage in or aid or
assist anyone in the conduct of a business which is substantially similar to or
directly competitive the Business;

          7.2 During the term of his employment, solicit, divert, take away or
accept orders from, or attempt to solicit, divert, take away or accept orders
from, any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity, wherever
located, for whom the Company performed any services or to whom the Company sold
any product within the immediately preceding 12-month period.

          7.3 During the term of his employment, solicit, attempt to solicit,
hire for employment or engage any person who was an employee, independent
contractor or agent employed by or engaged by the Company within the immediately
preceding 12-month period.

          7.4 Use for himself or for any other person, firm, corporation,
partnership, association or other entity, or divulge or disclose in any manner
to any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association or other entity, the
identity of the Company's residents or other customers, methods of operation,
financial data, sources of supply, know-how, pricing information, records,
books, agreements, techniques, forms, procedures, systems, financial information
or other trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information used in or
relating to the Business (hereinafter referred to as the "Confidential
Information"). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, the restrictions on Executive's disclosure and use of the
Confidential Information shall not apply to (i) information, or techniques which
are or become generally known to the public, other than through disclosure
(whether deliberate or inadvertent) by Executive or (ii) disclosure of
Confidential Information in judicial or administrative proceedings to the extent
Executive is legally compelled to disclose such information, provided Executive
shall have used his best efforts, and shall have afforded the Company the
opportunity, to obtain an appropriate protective order or other assurance
satisfactory to the Company or confidential treatment for the information
required to be so disclosed.

          7.5 Executive hereby agrees that the periods of time, geographical
scope and other limitations provided for in this Section 7 above are the minimum
such terms necessary to protect the Company and its successors and assigns in
the use and employment of the goodwill respecting the Business and the Company.
Executive further agrees that damages cannot adequately compensate the Company
in the event of Executive's breach of any of the covenants contained in this
Section 7. Accordingly, Executive agrees that in the event of a breach of any of
such covenants, the Company shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief
against Executive, without bond but upon due notice, in addition to such other
relief as may appertain at law or in equity. Obtainment of any such injunction
by the Company shall not be deemed an election of remedies or a waiver of any
right to assert any other remedies the Company may have at law or in equity. The
existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company, of
whatever nature, shall not constitute a defense to the Company's enforcement of
such restrictive covenants. To the extent any of such restrictive covenants are
deemed unenforceable by virtue of their scope in terms of geographical area,
length of time or otherwise, but may be made enforceable by limitations hereon,
Executive agrees that the same shall be enforceable to the fullest extent
permissible under the laws and public policies of the jurisdiction in which
enforcement is sought. The parties hereto hereby authorize any court of
competent jurisdiction to modify or reduce the scope of the restrictive
covenants to the extent necessary to make such restrictive covenants
enforceable.

          7.6 Executive agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from
and against any and all loss, cost, damages, liability and expense (including,
without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs and reasonable
litigation expenses) which the Company shall suffer, sustain or incur as a
result


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of, arising from or in connection with any failure of performance or breach of
agreement by Executive hereunder after a final non-appealable order from a court
of competent jurisdiction.

     8. Miscellaneous Provisions.

          8.1 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is deemed by any
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason,
the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall remain binding upon the parties.

          8.2 Notices. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing; shall be delivered personally,
including by means of telecopy, or mailed by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid and return receipt requested; shall be deemed given on the date
of personal delivery or on the date set forth on the return receipt; and shall
be delivered or mailed to the addresses or telecopy numbers set forth below or
to such other address as any party may from time to time direct:

          If to the                     Regent Assisted Living, Inc.
          Company, to:                  121 SW Morrison Street, Suite 1000
                                        Portland, OR 97204
                                        Telecopy: (503) 274-4685
                                        Attention: President

          Copy to:                      Regent Assisted Living, Inc.
          Company, to:                  121 SW Morrison Street, Suite 1000
                                        Portland, OR 97204
                                        Telecopy: (503) 274-4685
                                        Attention: Chief Legal Officer

          If to                         Louis Swart
          Executive,                    ____________________
          to:                           ____________________

          8.3 Benefit and Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns. The rights
and obligations of Executive hereunder are personal to him and are not subject
to voluntary or involuntary alienation or transfer by him.

          8.4 Waiver; Amendment. The provisions of this Agreement may be waived
or amended only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which
enforcement of the amendment or waiver is sought. Any waiver of any term or
condition of this Agreement or any breach hereof shall not operate as a waiver
of any other such term, condition or breach, and no failure to enforce any
provision hereof shall operate as a waiver of such provision or of any other
provision hereof.

          8.5 Attorneys' Fees. If suit or action is filed by either party to
enforce this Agreement or otherwise with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable
attorneys' fees as fixed by the trial court and, if any appeal is taken from the
decision of the trial court, reasonable attorneys' fees as fixed by the
appellate court.

          8.6 Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of
the provisions of this Agreement.


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          8.7 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets for the entire understanding
of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior discussions, negotiations, understandings or written agreements among the
parties hereto relating to the subject matter contained herein, and merges all
prior and contemporaneous discussions among them. Without limiting the
foregoing, the parties agree that all prior written or oral agreements between
Executive and the Company, or any predecessor or affiliate of the Company,
regarding the terms of Executive's employment are terminated and superseded by
this Agreement.

          8.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon (except for its
choice-of-law provisions).

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first set forth above.

     THE COMPANY:                      REGENT ASSISTED LIVING, INC.



                                       By: WALTER C. BOWEN
                                          --------------------------------
                                           Walter C. Bowen, President



                                       LOUIS SWART
     EXECUTIVE:                        -----------------------------------
                                       Louis Swart