Bickford of Ames
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Pay My BillReal Residents, Real Reviews
Knowing who to trust in this journey is hard — especially when your loved one’s health and happiness are at stake.
A letter from Andy Eby Andy Eby Caregiver/Sales & Marketing
The decision to consider senior living is never an easy one. You’re looking for caregivers to help with situations that may have you feeling exposed and powerless. We understand that this is a vulnerable time for your family.
Here at Bickford, we believe that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a strength.
We honor the courage it takes for seniors and families to navigate the aging journey and we believe we owe you our vulnerability in return.
That’s why we display real reviews from our residents, both positive and negative. We’re not interested in cherry-picking feel-good comments from casual visits.
We aim to earn your trust by showing the full spectrum of feedback from internal monthly surveys of our residents and families. This is an uncommon practice in our industry.
Many of the reviews you’ll see are positive, serving as a testament to our “whatever it takes” commitment to helping residents live their best lives.
We interpret negative reviews through two lenses: First, some contain hard truths. It hurts to hear, but sometimes we deserve it. This feedback sharpens us, allows us to see where we fall short, and demands that we get better.
Second, some reviews arise from the unbearable emotional pain families feel as they watch a loved one decline. In these situations, our caregivers may bear the brunt of unrealistic expectations. As the saying goes, “Hurt people hurt people.”
We trust your discernment to distinguish between the two. Feel free to ask us about any review that raises questions or concerns. We believe that trust isn’t built on a facade of perfection but on honesty about our successes and challenges.
Thank you for considering placing your trust in us.
Andy Eby
Reviews for Bickford of Ames
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Reviews with Comments
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Thank you (name removed) and (name removed) for getting a tv set for (name removed)!
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Everyone is friendly and helpful. We really appreciate the good care.
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I am thankful for staff taking (name removed) to eye glass place. He broke his glasses. This was very helpful.
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I would like first to give shoutouts to several of my dad (name removed) caregivers: (name removed) (sorry if I misspelled anyone's name, and I also if I missed anyone). What I appreciate most is that they take the time to chat with (name removed)--he really needs this because he tends to socially isolate himself. He also enjoys (name removed) friendliness. All the activities that (name removed) plans seem wonderful, but so far (name removed) has not wanted to take part. (name removed), don't give up on him--keep inviting him! I could see him enjoying the Friday happy hour and events where young people are involved. (name removed) continues to like the food and the dining room atmosphere. Thanks to the cooks! This is more my personal issue, but I have been trying to convince him to get out more--for a drive, a visit to DQ, a meal at my house, or even just to spend time in the Bickford courtyard. He really resists. If anyone has any ideas how how to convince him, I am open to them! I will be on trips in September and November that will take me out of town for a couple weeks each time. (name removed) may need a little extra help with housekeeping in his unit while I am away. I will communicate with staff about this before my trips. Finally, (name removed) needs to walk more. Anything staff can do to get him up and moving more is appreciated.
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(name removed) rock that place! They are amazing, caring, energetic caregivers.
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My parents' room smells horrific and needs the carpeting cleaned and whatever else it is that is making it so bad. For $17,000 a month it should be sparkling clean. I think you need an additional maintenance person.
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It doesn't have to stay confidential I guess. I feel like I've waited this long. One significant complaint would be that whoever's in charge of educating the families on HIPAA and completing that paperwork which then I assume includes the do you want your picture on social media? Then they follow through with the request and honor the choice that the resident and their family made. On two separate occasions now there have been pictures on social media on the website. There was never any confusion as to what our wishes were. Mom didn't want her picture on the website at the time of his mission she wasn't planning on staying very long we hope she got better and could come home before that. So I was quite surprised when Christmas time there she is front and center on the bus not looking very happy posted on the website. | I received a call from one of your corporate employees who follows up I assume with complaints on the family hotline. I have a reach back to her yet cuz I've been really busy with family and my own health but I will follow up with her I still have her number because I didn't intend to just you know make some comments and then not be available for conversation. It's sad it really is the changes I've seen in the last 10 12 years. Family would never put Mary in that place today not at the Bickford of ames. I wouldn't have my mother either if I knew then would I know now.
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Problems have been addresssed to administrator and nurse and hopefully these will be corrected. Wait and see
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I appreciate the meeting last month with (name removed) and (name removed) to figure out issues relating to my dad (name removed) shower schedule and other things
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I am too upset and frustrated to comment tonight.
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Almost every time I call to speak to my mother (name removed), I'm told we they will call me back right after their mealtime. Rarely, if not ever, does this happen. Very disappointing...
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Fall reports are not sent to the doctor. Level of care changes that took place after 5pm were not relayed to the BFM staff: I relayed that information to two different shifts. The resident was taken to the ER, which I knew, but I was not informed that she had been admitted. In talking to the hospital Dr, not all the fall information had been sent with the resident and the hospital Dr did not know about her most recent fall and thought she was only working with the previous fall. This lack of communication is worrisome at best, especially when dealing with memory care residents. | Just found out that the fall info was relayed to ER orally; not sure where the communication broke down. Paper trails are important.
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(name removed) (my dad) and I are very happy with his unit, the cooking, and the dining room experience. The 3 rating comes mostly from some issues relating to the director of health and wellness who was in the position for only a couple of weeks--if you would like details, we could have a conversation. Most of the time, the Bickford techs who assist (name removed) are very kind and helpful (even though I realize working with him can sometimes be a challenge). It seems sometimes that not all techs are fully aware of all aspects of his catheter care (frequent emptying of leg bag during the day--this has gotten better though--and how the syringe used to flush tubing is to be stored according to home health nurse). Question: Will Bickford's new online health system include a portal for residents/family members? We appreciate the chance to provide feedback. Thank you!
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Last few visits lots of ants. Told they had sprayed but didn't stop them as of last week. Then urine smell bad. Well bed made but sheets wet with urine! And concerned if she is sleeping in urine shouldn't she get daily showers to clean???
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Bickford went through a period of short staffing but seems to be getting better.
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Just need more training for the aides. I suggest monthly In servicing. People getting sicker and needing more hands on care aren't getting it Need more training on transfers, positioning, catheter care,
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I know she doesn't want to get up. But she had already missed breakfast and if I hadn't insisted would have missed lunch. She needs to eat! They must get her up by lunchtime whether she wants to do so or not.
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I emailed twice called twice asking for a rn or Dr to let us know pros and concerns on rexulti med for (name removed) still no return call yet | I called 8 am 930 am (name removed) not in yet then in meeting i then called third time 4 pm shes gone for wkend Not to mention two emails wed and Thursday very concerned about proper care for our Mother (name removed)
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Mom mother's heating/air conditioning fan runs nonstop and needs fixed. (name removed). | Placing a lockbox cover over her thermostat is not a solution!
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(name removed) & staff have been awesome to my mom.
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great staff
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Such a caring community!
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I have been waiting for several weeks for an answer to a medical question in regards to (name removed). I have now asked the question three times and still no response | The question was important and I need an answer!
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The staff in Ames Bickford has been awesome to my mom. I appreciate everything they do.
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The Bickford team in Ames is wonderful! Thanks for all you do!
Did you know
Most senior living communities don’t share internal reviews
Know the Real Residents, Real Reviews Difference
Our Reviews
Real Residents, Real Reviews
- From verified residents & families
- Unfiltered
- Solicited monthly
- Current, ongoing & up-to-date
Other Reviews
Google, A Place for Mom, etc.
- Can be written by anyone
- Often come from people who don’t actually live there (i.e. just came for a tour)
- Reflect a static, one-time experience
- Partial picture
Why other senior living communities don’t share internal reviews
- Most communities don’t solicit reviews on a monthly basis. Most surveys are annual and used for internal purposes only.
- They’re caring for a frail, vulnerable population 24/7/365. Healthcare, by its very nature, can be messy, especially when you’re on around the clock. Service failures are almost inevitable in this context.
- They know that some of the comments aren’t necessarily accurate
- They don’t have the courage to be vulnerable. They want to control how prospective families see them.
- They’re afraid it would hurt their sales and marketing efforts
- They don’t trust the consumer to be able to handle the truth
Did you know
Bickford Senior Living’s happiness score is 2x the national average
Reviews FAQ
Bickford residents and families have frequent opportunities to participate in providing feedback throughout the year. Bickford sends out a comprehensive annual survey evaluating all aspects of a residents experience. Following this survey, Bickford sends out a monthly survey to see if we are making progress on improving their happiness levels. The responses to both surveys are posted on the website and remain there for a year.
Bickford is committed to transparency. That means posting all feedback – both positive and negative. Every review is included in our overall score (star-rating). However, we do not post comments that are libelous, profane or risk violating the privacy of our residents.
A Bickford Verified Resident Review is a review provided by a resident or family member/significant other that has been verified by Bickford as an authorized individual. Individual names are protected for privacy reasons.
Bickford has developed a program to improve resident happiness based specifically on the scores and comments of the surveys. Each Branch sets goals to improve targeted areas identified from the surveys. The actions that need to be taken are discussed as a part of each shifts daily stand-up meeting.
Due to the unique and personalized nature of our business, responses to reviews, if requested, happen individually.
I visited on a Saturday morning at 11. My cousin was sitting in her room with no clothes below the waist. Her bed looked made but in checking the mattress had a waterproof pad only....no sheet and then just a blanket over that.