Community hosts art show featuring memory care residents' art work

The Watermark at Vistawilla, an assisted living and memory care community in Winter Springs, hosted an art show with pieces from its memory care residents to celebrate The Longest Day on June 21. The pieces, which were created by memory care residents during the community’s weekly art class, were also available to purchase for a donation to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association.

Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages people around the world to host fundraisers on the summer solstice, referred to as The Longest Day or the day with the most light – to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s disease. The community featured more than 50 pieces from its residents during the show and raised more than $300 for the cause.

“Many people don’t know that Alzheimer’s affects more than memory, it affects an individual’s mood, behavior, language and ability to complete normal everyday tasks,” said Patricia Wallace, Executive Director of The Watermark at Vistawilla. “Our hope is that the art show will increase awareness about the disease and also raise money to help find a cure.”

Research suggests that artistic engagement can help ease the common behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease like anxiety, depression, and agitation. It can also boost mood and self-esteem and create a pathway for emotional expression.

During The Watermark at Vistawilla’s weekly art class, the community uses music and aromatherapy to create a multi-sensory calming experience. The class, which is held every Monday, is taught by Community Life Director and Certified Dementia Practitioner Kimberly Dike. Dike engages with residents during the class and shows them step-by-step how to create the featured painting.

“We are really creating an experience, and as a result, so many of our residents come alive during the class,” said Dike. “We have one resident who has been coming since November and has become more and more engaged each week. I can see a change in her, like she’s reconnecting with a skill she hadn’t used in a while and is remembering the joy it brought her.”

Even for residents with no artistic background, the class is creating a peaceful space where they can thrive. For one resident in the later stages of Alzheimer’s, the class has provided an activity that captures her attention and engages her mind.

“We’ve had family members drop in during our class and have commented on how peaceful their mom or dad seem while painting,” said Dike. “They can sit with them and talk and enjoy the experience alongside of them. It’s been incredible to see the change week after week and to know that this class is truly making a difference in the lives of our residents.”

About The Watermark at Vistawilla

Located in Winter Springs, Fla., The Watermark at Vistawilla is an 87-apartment assisted living and memory care community located at 1519 E State Rd 434. Differentiators of the new community include certified associates, continuous care and hands-on educational programming. Owned and managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Watermark at Vistawilla is committed to creating an extraordinary community where people thrive. For more information, visit vistawilla.watermarkcommunities.com.

About Watermark Retirement Communities®

Watermark creates extraordinary and innovative communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 70 retirement communities in 22 states coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation’s 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.