Tarpon Springs, Fla., Dec 30 — Magnolia Trails at East Lake celebrated its grand opening on November 13, marking an exciting new chapter for families seeking trustworthy and high-quality memory care in Tarpon Springs, FL. More than 120 guests attended, including the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce and over 65 healthcare partners from across the Tampa Bay region. The event showcased the community’s beautiful spaces and amenities as well as its renewed direction under Sonida Senior Living (“Sonida”), which acquired the community in May 2025.
Since taking ownership, Sonida has focused on establishing stability and building trust with residents and their families in addition to continued investment upgrades into the building itself. Leadership presence has increased, staffing has strengthened, and team members are highly engaged with both residents and their families.
Sonida’s signature memory care program, Magnolia Trails™, now guides care practices and day-to-day resident engagement. Magnolia Trails™ is a person-centered approach that emphasizes familiarity, hands-on engagement, comforting sensory elements, and meaningful daily routines. The program creates opportunities for connection that honor each resident’s life story. Thoughtful design, activity stations, and structured engagement support an environment where residents feel understood, supported, and empowered to experience purpose and joy.
At the grand opening event, which featured live music, tours, and curated hospitality, guests experienced the community’s refreshed energy firsthand. Magnolia Trails at East Lake’s Italian chef was on hand to greet families and share the culinary approach he uses to create comfort and connection with the residents. Guests explored the community’s bakery with its inviting café bistro feel, where the warm aroma of fresh cookies added to the welcoming atmosphere. Families also toured the memory care neighborhood, including the large indoor courtyard with a full-sized tree and a blue-sky lighting effect that creates a calming, outdoor-inspired atmosphere.
In addition to the programming and hospitality overhauls, Sonida has also implemented new assistive safety technology into the community. The system immediately and automatically alerts staff when a resident may need assistance after a fall, helping the team respond quickly while supporting dignity and privacy.
“The last few months have been a full reset, and our team has worked hard to establish comfort for residents and trust with families,” said Teresa Covelli, Executive Director. “You can feel the difference in the atmosphere. There is stability, clarity, and a shared commitment to doing what is right for our residents.”
Resident feedback reflects the progress already taking shape. Guests described Magnolia Trails at East Lake as bright, high tech, and supported by passionate caregivers and positive, inspiring residents, creating a warm and uplifting culture.
“When Sonida Senior Living first stepped into this community, we knew families needed reassurance and a strong foundation of trust,” said Donna Brown, Division President. “We invested in leadership, staffing, communication, and care practices so that residents receive consistent support every day. Magnolia Trails at East Lake is on an exciting path, and we are committed to best-in-class service.”