Watersound Fountains provides a welcome space for Coastal Seniors

Watersound Fountains, an independent living community in Inlet Beach, has become a welcome space for local seniors – and not just the ones who live there. Over the last year, the community has partnered with Coastal Seniors of South Walton (CSSW) to provide space for the group’s regular fitness classes and special events.

On March 17, the group launched its popular water aerobics class at the Watersound Fountains pool. During the winter months, they also hosted line dancing classes at the community, which wrapped up on March 12. For years, the Coastal Seniors have petitioned to have a senior center built in South Walton to house its regular classes and events. Until that happens, Watersound Fountains is happy to provide a space for all seniors in South Walton to meet.

“We’ve built a strong partnership with the Coastal Seniors since opening our doors last year,” said Melissa Adams, Executive Director of Watersound Fountains. “We believe strongly that regular socialization and physical activity are important to maintaining an active lifestyle for local seniors. We’re happy to provide CSSW a space to host those events until they have a space of their own.”

In addition to providing a space for CSSW’s regular fitness classes, the senior living community has provided food for its events – like the Bicentential event in Santa Rosa Beach last June. They also served as the venue for CSSW’s member appreciation event last fall.

Earlier this year, CSSW started a petition on Change.org to raise awareness of the need for a senior center in Walton County. In it, they note that seniors are often impacted by isolaton as they age, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and more. Currently, seniors age 50 and above make up 42 percent of the population of Walton County, yet there is not an adequate facility where programs for active seniors can be provided.

When they are not holding class at Watersound Fountains, CSSW meets at the Walton County Commissioners Office in Santa Rosa Beach and hosts events throughout the community. The organization provides a community for active seniors and focuses on personal health, social, recreational, volunteer opportunities, and life-long learning. Classes include exercise, chair yoga, Tai Chi, watercolor painting classes, and pickleball sessions. The organization also regularly hosts guest speakers.

Adams said that CSSW members are always welcome at Watersound Fountains events, and the invitation goes both ways. The senior living community has event purchased CSSW memberships for residents so they can attend events with the Coastal Seniors outside of the community. Creating a space where all seniors are welcome is a common thread the two organizations share.

“This is a tight knit community and the more connections we have, the better,” said Adams. “You can never have too many friends, or too many people in your corner. We know that CSSW is grateful to use our space and we’re even more grateful that our members benefit from their programming.”

The two organizations are in the early phases of discussing a possible CSSW art class in Watersound Fountains’ Create Art Studio.

“There have been discussions about a watercolors class with a local senior who is a member of the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County,” said Adams. “We have a beatutiful art studio at our community and we’d love to see more people enjoy it. This seems like a win for everyone involved, and the next phase of the beatufiul partnership we’ve created with CSSW.”

Coastal Seniors will hold its weekly water aerobics class at Watersound Fountains from March until October. The class is held four times a week – on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Members can register for the classes on the CSSW website.

About Watersound Fountains

Located in Inlet Beach, Fla. Watersound Fountains is a 148-apartment independent living community located at 65 Origins Parkway. The community offers resort-style amenities including four unique dining venues, a fitness studio, salon and spa, wellness center, swimming pool, indoor golf simulator, and outdoor putting green. Residents also have access to award-winning programming through Watermark University. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, Watersound Fountains is committed to creating an extraordinary and innovative community where people thrive. For more information, visit https://watersound.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.