Since 2014, SAACA and Watermark Communities have collaborated to introduce integrated arts programming into rehab, assisted living, hospice, independent living, and memory care facilities. This innovative, multi-disciplinary approach significantly enhances senior living, combats isolation, mitigates health regression, and promotes healing and aging, leading to stronger health outcomes for all participants.

  • Combatting Isolation:
    • Arts programming fosters social connections and community engagement.
    • Residents actively participate in group activities, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  • Mitigating Health Regression:
    • Continuous engagement in creative activities helps maintain cognitive and physical functions.
    • The arts stimulate mental agility and promote overall well-being.
  • Promoting Healing:
    • Art therapy offers emotional expression and psychological relief.
    • Creative arts provide therapeutic benefits that support the rehabilitation process.
  • Enhancing Aging:
    • Creative aging approaches ensure that residents lead fulfilling, enriched lives.
    • Lifelong learning through the arts contributes to a vibrant and active senior community.

​Program Elements:
  • Creative Arts Therapy:
    • Improves residents' quality of life through dynamic arts programming.
    • Rooted in innovative lifelong learning and education practices.
    • Engages residents in a comprehensive healing and rehabilitation process through skilled arts therapy.
  • Community Gallery:
    • Monthly rotating gallery exhibitions at the Fountains at La Cholla.
    • Features a diverse range of works from local emerging artists, photography, quilting, sweater weaving, and resident exhibitions.
    • Over 100 artists showcased, uplifting resident showcases and mission-focused programs.
  • Art Therapy:
    • Utilizes ground-breaking Creative Arts Therapies facilitated by local artists.
    • Integrative methods include music, writing, visual arts, and community arts components.
    • Provides healing through creative expression and community engagement.
  • Music & Memory:
    • Partnered with MUSIC & MEMORY℠ since 2015 to bring personalized music playlists to memory care residents.
    • Music playlists downloaded on iPods or other digital devices tap into deep memories, bringing participants back to life.
    • Enables residents to feel like themselves, converse, socialize, and stay present.
  • Special Events:
    • Year-round arts programming that welcomes families to the Fountains.
    • Includes family-friendly and youth integration programs, opera performances, holiday music and art productions, happy hours, and cultural events.
    • Creates special opportunities for community and family connections, fostering a sense of belonging and togetherness.
The partnership between SAACA and Watermark Communities showcases the profound impact the arts have on improving health outcomes related to isolation, health regression, healing, and aging. Through a diverse array of programs and events, residents experience enhanced quality of life, meaningful connections, and holistic well-being.

EXPRESSIONS CALENDAR

Here at Watermark, we fervently believe in making every day count — and we’ve filled our 2024 Expressions Calendar with artistry and inspiration to help you do just that.
At Watermark communities across the country, with ink and paint, textiles and wood, glass and metal, and myriad other mediums, residents have created visually stunning works of art that speak to the soul. We are proud to showcase their achievements.
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A tradition more than two decades strong, our Expressions Calendar summons the spirit to create. We hope it will inspire you to cultivate your own gifts, share your vision with the world, and fill each day with new aspirations and new ideas to embrace for your own life of fulfillment, joy, and purpose.