Exhibit 16 December 21, 1998 Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 Ladies and Gentlemen: We were previously principal accountants for Regent Assisted Living, Inc. and, under the date of February 13, 1998, except as to note 11 which is as of March 27, 1998, we reported on the consolidated financial statements of Regent Assisted Living, Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 1997. On December 15, 1998 our appointment as principal accountants was terminated. We have read Regent Assisted Living Inc.'s statements included under Item 4(a) of its Form 8-K dated December 15, 1998, and we agree with such statements, except that we are not in a position to agree or disagree with Regent Assisted Living, Inc.'s statement that the change was approved by the audit committee of its board of directors. Very truly yours, KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP KPMG Peat Marwick LLP