The Watermark at Almaden

The Watermark at Almaden sits in South San Jose and gives seniors a place where they can choose from independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term stays, and even skilled nursing. Residents can live in spacious studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments in a mid-rise building that's modern and comfortable, all tailored to different needs, so whether someone needs help with grooming or wants a low-maintenance independent lifestyle, they'll find options. The staff is there 24 hours a day, offering medication help, personal care, wellness support, and even Medical Concierge services for those who need more medical attention. Memory care at this facility uses personalized plans and the Prema Memory Support℠ program, keeping residents with dementia or Alzheimer's safe and secure in a protected area, while trained staff and structured programs also focus on boosting mental and physical health with activities meant to keep everyone as independent and active as possible.

Every resident, no matter their care needs, can use shared amenities like a spa and salon, a fitness center, Wi-Fi, and outdoor spaces close to the Guadalupe River Trail and Almaden Quicksilver County Park. There's a movie theater, accessible common areas, and a pet-friendly policy, so people can bring their small companions. Staff handle housekeeping, transportation, and weekly linen service to take away the daily chores, and chef-prepared meals cover many diets, including Gourmet Bites Cuisine for those who need easier-to-eat options. The dining program finds ways to serve nutritious, enjoyable food, and the culinary team listens to residents' preferences.

The calendar is full of activities from Watermark University, which gives classes in art, technology, fitness, and mindfulness, plus painting and other hobbies, and what they call BrainCafé℠ sessions. Residents can join programs like EngageVR® for virtual reality experiences, In the Presence of Horses® for unique animal interactions, Thricycle for easy mobility, and Resident Ambassadors. Social, educational, and cultural activities, like those in the Expressions Calendar or Lifestyle Magazine, happen every day, and the facility puts on public events and a cultural series that includes programs like Feeling Our Age and Not Another Second, working with partners such as SAGE. Their My Watermark Experience℠ touches on personalized schedules for every individual.

The Watermark at Almaden's staff aim to create a welcoming community and have won awards like Best of Senior Living and All-Star awards, which reflect positive feedback from residents and families. The facility carries a licensed capacity for up to 240 residents and is part of Watermark Retirement Communities, established in 1985. They offer support for active adults, memory care resources, skilled nursing and home care, with technology tools that make life easier, such as Accushield and LifeLoop for safety and community connection. Residents and visitors can look at photos, floor plans, and 3D tours to get a sense of the space, while families can use online resources, activity calendars, and guides about senior care. The Watermark at Almaden is a modern place for seniors who want a comfortable life with care and activities tailored to them, in a neighborhood with access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.

The Watermark at Almaden is managed by Watermark Retirement.

Watermark Retirement Communities is a premier senior living operator managing over 70 communities across 21 states with approximately 5,800 associates, ranked as the nation's 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Founded in 1985 by David Freshwater and David Barnes as The Fountains in Tucson, Arizona, the company pioneered wellness-based senior living in collaboration with the University of Arizona Center on Aging before rebranding as Watermark in 2006. Headquartered in Tucson, Watermark became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Keppel Corporation in March 2024, following Keppel's initial 50% acquisition in 2019, with Paul Boethel succeeding the founders as CEO while Freshwater continues as Chairman Emeritus.

The company's signature Watermark University is an award-winning intergenerational learning program where residents, associates, family members, and local experts—including museum curators, university professors, and world-renowned doctors—teach dozens of classes ranging from watercolor painting and ballroom dancing to language learning and sculpture workshops. Named among Fortune's Top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services™ by the Great Place to Work® Institute, Watermark provides comprehensive training through programs like GO (General Orientation) Ripples, Leadership by Design workshops, and specialized sales systems focused on understanding buyer motivations and customer service excellence.

Watermark's innovative Prema Memory Support℠ program features Naya caregivers—named after the Sanskrit word for "guide" or "person of wisdom"—who are Certified Dementia Practitioners trained through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. The Thrive Memory Care experience includes secure courtyards, multi-sensory environments with fresh flowers, music therapy, and sensory gardens. Their groundbreaking Thrive Dining (Gourmet Bites) program transforms nutritious meals into attractive, bite-sized portions that residents can enjoy independently without utensils. The Dementia Awareness Experience uses virtual simulations including impairment gloves and vision-loss glasses to help associates develop deeper empathy and understanding.

The company leads the industry in technology innovation with EngageVR, a virtual reality program using Oculus Quest headsets that enables residents to travel virtually to the pyramids of Egypt, swim with whales, or reconnect with veterans from their battalions in virtual living rooms. The 360Well wellness program integrates four key circles—mind, body, spirit, and community—to promote holistic health and independence. Through partnerships with the University of Arizona's Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute and Curana Health for value-based care delivery in Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania, Watermark continues advancing senior care research and innovation.

Following a "shrinking to grow" strategy under new leadership, Watermark focuses on operating premium communities while maintaining its founding philosophy that they are "a wellness company that happens to provide housing and services for seniors," committed to creating experiences where residents truly feel at home with purpose, possibility, and joy.