First-ever assisted living community to open on Marco Island

When you think of Assisted Living, what comes to mind? Something dreary and boring, maybe? Dull hallways and bingo cards, perhaps? Many of us are stuck believing in outdated notions about senior living, but its time to refresh our thinking.Did you know that approximately 800,000 Americans are Assisted Living residents? Its true. And the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) estimates that number to double to 1.6 million by the year 2030 as more and more people discover the changing dynamic of today's senior housing options. Moving to an Assisted Living community for seniors is no longer about what you might be giving up it's about what youre gaining in return. At The Watermark at Marco Island, you can enjoy resort-style living with sophisticated residences, enriching activities, and integrative wellness options. Here, Assisted Living offers the perfect blend of personalized support and independence, with thoughtful care and abundant opportunities to engage, grow, and stay active.Whats more, making the move to Assisted Living often means having more personal freedom not less. We hear from our members time and again that they chose to make the move in part to gain freedom from the general upkeep of maintaining a home.Mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, and other chores demand valuable time, but at The Watermark at Marco Island, there are so many more enjoyable ways to spend each day. Cooking and cleaning the kitchen? No, thank you. You can enjoy rave-worthy cuisine in the ambience of our stylish on-site dining venues.Another key reason to consider a move to Assisted Living is the vibrant social life. Here, members have easy access to a multitude of diverse opportunities for true connection, such as award-winning Watermark University classes, fitness programming, local excursions, signature EngageVR virtual reality experiences, and more.Then there's the peace of mind for you and your loved one that comes with knowing expert personal care is right here, ready to meet any need, even if those needs change in the future. And, really, that might just be the biggest reason of all.At The Watermark at Marco Island, weve gathered helpful information and resources to help provide insight into what Assisted Living is really all about and how it can create new opportunities for engagement, enjoyment, and enrichment.

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.