A New Era in Senior Living Arriving to Marco Island

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The Watermark at Marco Island

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Posted on

Nov 06, 2024

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Florida - Southwest

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Marco Island's first assisted living facility starts accepting applications: What to know

A new theater, entertainment center, salon and spa, bar and dining experience venue with waterfront views is coming to Marco Island but not everyone will be able to partake. It will be part of Marco Island's first assisted living and memory care center. In true Southwest Florida fashion, The Watermark at Marco Island on San Marco Road near Bald Eagle Drive promises to be an upscale and active community for those wishing to live there. "Marco Island is just, you know, remarkably vital, how much spark, how much vitality is omnipresent in the seniors that live on this island," said Robyn Johnson, who is the executive director of the facility. "It's really fun, because it's a group of seniors who are not slowing down as they age."


Leasing is under way

The Watermark at Marco Island has started leasing and has reservations for half of the 86-unit potential total occupancy, Johnson said. The 20-unit memory care units are full in terms of reservations, she said. That leaves 66 units for assisted living and those are filling up too, she said. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, the community will focus on "whole-person wellness" using its 360Well® well program that is rooted in four circles of wellness: mind, body, spirit, and community.What does that mean? It means delicious food and restaurants on site. It means a sports bar atmosphere on site. It means outdoor living with firepits, water views, a bar, entertainment and on-site activities. It means a salon and spa on site. It means doctors and medical testing come to the residents. It means transportation to Marco Island's famous crescent beach, to the library, to restaurants and museums, the Arts Center and more, Johnson said. "There is such an enormous plethora of organized social and philanthropic (opportunities) on the island," Johnson said. With a wheelchair accessible bus and a vehicle with a driver, "we'll be able to provide access to the island for our residents anytime, and I think that that's really meaningful … so that they don't feel like they're leaving something but they're just gaining even more access." Amenities include a fitness center, wellness center, salon and spa, as well as waterfront dining and sunset views. The community’s two dining venues will feature seasonal menus highlighting fresh, local ingredients and restaurant-style service.


Healthcare will come to residents

Along with the high-end amenities, The Watermark is still an assisted living and memory care center. And with that comes the senior care expected and then some, Johnson said. Medical doctors including dermatology, podiatry and hospice services will be available on site, she said. Medical testing including bloodwork and radiology also will be done on site. Primary care doctors and preventative medicine will come to the residents, she said. Watermark is in talks to partner for primary care doctors, she said. In addition, residents can work on their brains and coordination and keeping in touch with the community, Johnson said. They can take classes through Watermark University – everything from painting, yoga, languages and ballroom dancing to pottery and flower arranging. Exclusive to Arizona-based Watermark Retirement Communities is the BrainCafé, a collaboration with the UCLA Longevity Center to provide a comprehensive memory training series to help residents. The memory care center is for seniors living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other forms of memory loss. The Prema Memory Support program "integrates residents into the rhythms of daily living, while Gourmet Bites Cuisine allows residents who traditionally require a


Who is the executive director and when will Watermark open?

Originally from Orono, Minnesota, Johnson is no stranger to Collier County. She began visiting the Naples are in 1974 with her parents, who started bringing the family down for six weeks every year. As an adult, Johnson worked with NCH to help bring the Blue Zones Project well-being initiative to senior healthcare environments and moved to Naples full time in 2022. Most recently, she was executive director of Beach House assisted living in Naples. "Because I have this unique background in innovative senior care that's really based on understanding how a body, mind, spirit approach, including high engagement, social opportunities, great cuisine, access to fantastic healthcare, but programming that really sparked fun and meaningful moments, when I read about Watermark and had an opportunity to see how advanced and how truly unique their approach to senior care is, I was simply excited about the opportunity to become part of their team and to open something in Marco," Johnson said. Watermark's Marco Island facility is set to open in November or December, Johnson said. A privately held company, Watermark manages more than 70 retirement communities in 22 states across the U.S.


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Local Services By This Author

The Watermark at Marco Island

Memory Care 1170 San Marco Road, Marco Island, Florida, 34145

Senior Livings Hidden Gem The Watermark at Marco IslandNow Open! The Watermark at Marco Island is where elegance meets small-town charm. Nestled in an idyllic island community renowned for its beaches, boating, and resort lifestyle, Watermark Retirement Communities has partnered with Chancey Design and BRW Development to create an exceptional Assisted Living and Memory Care community.This thoughtfully designed community features 70 Assisted Living and 22 Memory Care residences, offering a selection of spacious studio, and one-bedroom, options available on a monthly rental basis.Amenities & ServicesLeave your worries behind with our comprehensive concierge services. From maintenance and housekeeping to transportation and salon scheduling, The Watermark team is dedicated to your comfort and convenience.The NeighborhoodLocated just 20 miles south of Naples, Marco Island is a nature lover's paradise with six miles of white-sand beaches, scenic marinas, golf courses, and over 100 miles of inland waterways. Explore local restaurants, visit the nature preserve, or stroll through the farmers market the possibilities are endless in this beautiful oasis.Life at WatermarkCelebrate joy and community with our signature Inspire magazine, filled with stories of remarkable lives and experiences that define the Watermark lifestyle.Join us as we embark on a new era in senior living. Contact us today for more information, schedule a tour, or learn about upcoming events. We cant wait to welcome you!

The Watermark at Marco Island

Assisted Living 1170 San Marco Road, Marco Island, Florida, 34145

Senior Livings Hidden Gem The Watermark at Marco IslandNow Open! The Watermark at Marco Island is where elegance meets small-town charm. Nestled in an idyllic island community renowned for its beaches, boating, and resort lifestyle, Watermark Retirement Communities has partnered with Chancey Design and BRW Development to create an exceptional Assisted Living and Memory Care community.This thoughtfully designed community features 70 Assisted Living and 22 Memory Care residences, offering a selection of spacious studio, and one-bedroom options available on a monthly rental basis.Amenities & ServicesLeave your worries behind with our comprehensive concierge services. From maintenance and housekeeping to transportation and salon scheduling, The Watermark team is dedicated to your comfort and convenience.The NeighborhoodLocated just 20 miles south of Naples, Marco Island is a nature lover's paradise with six miles of white-sand beaches, scenic marinas, golf courses, and over 100 miles of inland waterways. Explore local restaurants, visit the nature preserve, or stroll through the farmers market the possibilities are endless in this beautiful oasis.Life at WatermarkCelebrate joy and community with our signature Inspire magazine, filled with stories of remarkable lives and experiences that define the Watermark lifestyle.Join us as we embark on a new era in senior living. Contact us today for more information, schedule a tour, or learn about upcoming events. We cant wait to welcome you!