The Health Care Professional's Perspective

Senior living communities have received a lot of bad press throughout the COVID-19 epidemic. As Dr. Benedict points out, these communities didn’t put patients at greater risk; they just happened to be where high-risk patients were concentrated when the epidemic started.

As a medical director and physician practicing full time at a Watermark community with a skilled nursing component, Dr. Benedict’s practice shifted into high gear when the pandemic hit. He communicated constantly with Watermark administrators, nurses, housekeepers and dining associates to establish best practices, and he was impressed how Watermark’s entire team stepped up.

Dr. Benedict urges the public to look past negative headlines and get to know how senior living communities help people thrive. During his time with Watermark, he’s seen patients go from being confused, having trouble juggling medications and falling before they moved in to being physically active, sharper and making jokes. Some of his patients have “aged backward five years” because of the 360-degree support senior living affords.