Senior living community turns dreams to reality with Bucket List Club

At The Watermark at Vistawilla, a senior living community in Winter Springs, a unique "Bucket List" program is helping residents fulfill their lifelong dreams. The community launched the program earlier this year and is quickly working through residents’ Bucket List items – both big and small.

The initiative was sparked by resident Sylvia Reyes, who expressed a simple desire: to sit in a classic Volkswagen Beetle. Community Life Director Kimberly Dike was determined to make this happen for Sylvia and thought perhaps other residents had similar aspirations that she might not know about. She met with residents on February 3 for the first official meeting of the Bucket List Club.

“We asked them what they’d like to do and told them that no request is too big,” said Dike. “In fact, the bigger the better. There’s a lot we can do with modern technology and when we pool our resources together and the resources of Watermark Retirement Communities – anything is possible."

Watermark Retirement Communities, which manages The Watermark at Vistawilla, is a national senior living provider with communities across the nation. At other communities, residents are participating in similar clubs and creating lasting memories in their retirement.

At The Watermark at Vistawilla, Reyes was the first resident to complete her Bucket List item. On February 8, the community visited Gateway Classic Cars of Orlando in Lake Mary, where she was able to sit in a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

"She was absolutely beside herself with joy," Dike recalled. “You could just see the sheer excitement on her face of getting to live out one of her dreams. It was an incredible experience for everyone there.”

In April, the community will help resident Ruth Balke check an item off her list – to see an orange tree. Having moved to Florida in 2024, she had always longed to see an orange tree. She enjoyed fruit trees back home in Wheaton, Illinois but has never seen an orange tree. The community has arranged a visit to Meriwether Citrus Grove & Roadside Stand on April 7, where she will have the opportunity to pick a fresh orange directly from the tree.

“An unexpected joy of this program has been the generosity of the local businesses we’ve connected with,” said Dike. “From the car dealership where you aren’t typically allowed to sit in the cars to the orange grove that is not a U-Pick but will let our sweet resident pick her first orange. This kindness is humbling, and it’s something we didn’t expect.”

Also on Ruth Balke’s Bucket List is a trip to the beach, which will be a first in her lifetime. On Friday, April 25, the community plans to take her to Cocoa Beach, where she’ll enjoy lunch at an oceanfront restaurant and feel the sand and water between her toes. These experiences are extra special for Ruth, whose eyesight has slowly deteriorated since moving into the community.

“Allowing her to experience things that engage her senses – like smelling an orange and touching and hearing the ocean will be so impactful,” said Dike. “We tell our residents often that ‘you’re here to live life to the fullest now that you have the time.’ Seeing them embody this through their Bucket Lists and enjoy each experience been meaningful for all of us.”

Dike said she’s excited to see what else residents come up with – no wish is too big in her eyes, and every resident deserves the chance to live out their dreams.

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. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is a privately held company with a reputation for more than 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, and manages senior living communities across the United States. Visit watermarkcommunities.com to learn more.