The idea of wellness has evolved beyond diets and step counters. Increasingly, it’s about environments—spaces designed to restore, support, and sustain health in ways that are both physical and emotional. For Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles, this shift isn’t theoretical. It’s deeply connected to her team’s latest venture in Panama, where wellness is not just a personal choice—it’s built into the architecture of daily life.
As a Doctoral Nurse Practitioner, public health advocate, and founder of Eat Karma, Dr. Forbes has long treated health as a system, not a symptom. Her team’s latest project, Ventana Living, takes that same systems-thinking to the way people age, recover, and thrive. Nestled within the natural landscapes of Panama, Ventana is more than a development—it’s a living, breathing commitment to proactive health.
At first glance, a saltwater pool might seem like a luxury. But beneath the surface, the benefits are well-documented. Saltwater is gentler on the skin and eyes compared to chlorinated systems, but its benefits go deeper. Swimming in salt-rich water can aid circulation, reduce inflammation, and support joint health—especially vital for aging adults or those recovering from injury.
Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles points out that for many individuals, pain impedes movement, which in turn undermines overall vitality. She advocates for the use of saltwater pools, citing their therapeutic benefits in restoring mobility and promoting well-being.
At Ventana Living, saltwater pools aren’t an amenity—they’re part of the healthcare model. Forbes and her team have designed them with accessibility, depth variation, and ease of use in mind, recognizing that good design can support daily habits that preserve long-term independence.
Saunas have long been used in Nordic cultures for relaxation and detoxification, but modern research confirms that their benefits extend beyond comfort. Regular sauna use is linked to improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and enhanced immune response. For older adults, the ability to lower stress hormones and improve circulation isn’t just indulgent—it’s vital.
Dr. Sharine Forbes approaches wellness planning with the same evidence-based mindset that shaped Eat Karma. Highlighting the health benefits of regular heat exposure, Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles reframes saunas and similar amenities as forms of preventive medicine rather than indulgences. She stresses their role in reducing long-term cardiovascular risk.
The on-site saunas at Ventana Living are designed for frequent use, not just the occasional retreat. This reflects a larger belief: when wellness infrastructure is integrated into daily routines, the outcomes shift from reactive to proactive.
Five-star treatment doesn’t have to mean a white robe and lemon water. At Ventana, it means thoughtful, consistent, medically informed services that support dignity, comfort, and autonomy. The idea is to take the best parts of spa culture—attentiveness, sensory experience, hospitality—and layer them with clinical rigor.
Massage therapy isn’t just relaxing—it’s a researched tool for pain management. Facials and skin therapies are important in climates where sun exposure and aging skin require expert attention. Nutrition consultations aren’t fluff—they’re frontline health interventions. And yes, aesthetics matter: peaceful design, natural materials, and quiet spaces influence mental health outcomes more than most care plans acknowledge.
Panama’s year-round temperate climate offers a unique opportunity to fuse indoor and outdoor spaces, and Dr. Forbes has leaned into that, using nature not just as a backdrop but as a co-therapist. Private gardens, walking paths, and sensory design features are integrated throughout Ventana’s common areas.
Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles doesn’t approach retirement or wellness as marketing terms. Her clinical background across intensive care units, community health, and food systems has taught her that longevity is not about one thing—it’s about alignment.
Dr. Sharine Forbes asserts that individuals flourish in environments that minimize barriers—whether in access, cost, or the development of healthy routines. She explains that Ventana was purposefully created to eliminate these frictions and support holistic thriving.
Her vision in Panama reflects a full-circle shift—from acute hospital care to holistic, preventive living spaces. And while the setting is tropical, the strategy is global. As aging populations grow worldwide, the question isn’t just how long we’ll live, but how well.
Ventana Living is in early stages, but the blueprint is bold. By blending high-end hospitality with evidence-based wellness infrastructure, Dr. Sharine Forbes is building more than a resort—she’s prototyping a new model for aging, one where health isn’t managed in clinics alone but curated through intentional, everyday environments.
Dr. Sharine Forbes shares that Panama provided an ideal convergence of natural beauty, ease of access, and aligned community values—elements that empowered her team to explore a bold, innovative approach to care and living.
In a world full of wellness fads, Forbes isn’t chasing trends. She’s refining systems. And in doing so, she’s inviting the next generation of older adults to not just live longer but live better, with purpose, peace, and care designed into every square foot.
