Senior living community hosts art show of memory care residents' art

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 raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association on June 21. Pieces included canvas paintings, jewelry and a variety of mixed media art, all created by memory care residents during the community’s regular art classes.

Each year, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages people around the world to host fundraisers on the summer solstice – or The Longest Day – which falls on June 21. Their hope is to bring light to the darkness of Alzheimer’s disease and help create awareness and raise money to find a cure.

“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 increases awareness about the disease and showcases one of the ways our memory care residents are thriving.”

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’ve had family members drop in during our class and have commented on how peaceful their mom or dad seem while painting. 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.”

To donate to The Alzheimer’s Association, visit http://act.alz.org/goto/Vistawilla.

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 10th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.