St. Andrew's Village

St. Andrew's Village in Aurora, CO, has been around since 2006, and they updated things in 2018 and 2019, so it feels modern and comfortable while not being fancy for the sake of it, and you'll find a variety of apartment sizes, including studios and one-, two-, or three-bedroom units with kitchenettes or full kitchens and private balconies in independent living. The community supports people over 62 with different care types, so one might start in independent living, get some help in assisted living, or stay for temporary respite care if recovering from surgery or injury, and there's a skilled nursing and rehab section too-The Ensign Group, Inc. runs the skilled nursing, but all of it's right there together, so you don't have to move far as needs change.

There's a big focus on comfort, safety, and choices, and the apartments are all accessible, with emergency call systems, private laundry in independent living, and underground parking if you drive. You get two meals a day in independent living, with extra lunch if wanted, while assisted living and skilled nursing residents have three meals a day and snacks, and meals are chef-prepared and served in one of four dining rooms. Folks with pets are welcome as long as management approves it-dogs and cats included, plus an on-site dog walker, and the place is non-smoking, which the community keeps clear for everyone's wellbeing.

Residents can use the indoor pool, Whirlpool spa, and fitness center, plus there's a library, chapel, Internet café, and media and activity rooms for all sorts of pastimes, as well as landscaped courtyards, a club room, and walking areas to enjoy. There are beauty salons, both full-service and mini, plus scheduled group trips for shopping or outings, and individual transportation's available too, with housekeeping, laundry, and 24-hour staff always around if someone needs help. For those who like to stay busy, Watermark University classes like Tai Chi, painting, pool exercises, poker, and strength and balance are offered, and the schedule has indoor and outdoor activities based on what residents want, even including bigger social trips like going go-cart riding or seeing Garden of the Gods.

Help with medication, bathing, and continence is provided for those in assisted living, and respite and skilled nursing care comes with therapy services, like physical, occupational, or speech visits, coordinated on-site, but special wound care from outside home health providers is arranged as needed. Hospice and palliative care can be set up, too. The place isn't secured, though there are safety measures like neck pendants and wrist bands, bathroom call buttons, and motion sensors.

St. Andrew's Village supports residents' independence but gives help where needed, with a professional health and wellness team designing their plans and checking in regularly, and the community keeps itself up well, handling building repairs and regular cleaning. The activities calendar covers wellness, recreation, learning, and faith-there's an interfaith chapel with special religious services and Jewish holidays observed as well, and the mini shopping store on site helps for small needs. The ambassador program helps new people settle in, and the staff checks in often, always trying to listen and adjust so the folks living there feel at home and well taken care of. Leases for independent living run a year with 90 days' notice, while assisted living and skilled nursing are month-to-month with 30 days' notice, and they don't take Medicaid, serving only folks aged 62 and up. Tours can be scheduled so people can look around and ask questions before moving in.

St. Andrew's Village 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.