Choice + Comfort + Confidence: Personalized Support That Honors Your Independence

Leasing is underway at the first-ever assisted living and memory care community on Marco Island. The community, The Watermark at Marco Island, has 86 units, according to a statement. The Watermark, according to a statement, will place a unique focus on whole-person wellness and healthy aging and offer resort-style amenities, waterfront views and longevity-based care to local seniors. The community, at 1170 San Marco Road, is scheduled to open later this year on Marco, which is linked to Collier County by bridges south of Naples. Tucson, Arizona-based Watermark Retirement Communities manages The Watermark at Marco Island. The companys model, the release states, revolves around helping residents develop, manage and implement comprehensive health, fitness and wellness programs rooted in the four interconnected circles of wellness: mind, body, spirit and community.The Watermark at Marco Island will include 66 assisted living and 20 memory care residences. Amenities include a fitness center, wellness center, salon and spa, as well as waterfront dining and sunset views. The communitys two distinct dining venues will also feature seasonal menus highlighting fresh, local ingredients and restaurant-style service, the company says. Watermark is unlike any other senior living provider in the country, and is curating innovative health and wellness driven communities that support aging with independence, The Watermark at Marco Island Executive Director Robyn Johnson says in the release. 

Marco Island's first assisted living facility starts accepting applications: What to knowA 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 wayThe 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 communitys two dining venues will feature seasonal menus highlighting fresh, local ingredients and restaurant-style service.Healthcare will come to residentsAlong 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 BrainCafe, 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 Alzheimers, 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 aWho 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.

Were thrilled to announce the release of the third edition of Inspire, Watermarks award-winning lifestyle magazine, celebrating the themes of home, family, and connection. This issue reminds us that home is more than just a place its where love, comfort, and purpose truly live.Inside, youll find articles that explore the richness of family connections and the importance of sharing family stories with younger generations to inspire and strengthen their roots. For those looking to create a space that reflects what they love most, our tips on downsizing will help make home feel more meaningful and intentional. Readers can also enjoy practical strategies for maintaining wellness, insights from remarkable career journeys, and resources for caregivers seeking support.In addition, were thrilled to share poetry from residents and associates, a thoughtful holiday gift guide, and cherished family recipes passed down through generations. Every page celebrates the unique connections and purpose that make life at Watermark so vibrant.View the Fall/Winter 2024 e-zine below, or click here for the full-screen experience.