Chef William had some very helpful sous chefs today! Our Residents rolled up their sleeves and got busy peeling carrots to help get dinner ready. Another delicious example of purposeful living the Montessori way!

This week, we took our Residents on a little adventure to Italy without leaving Bickford! We enjoyed Italian trivia, virtual tours, and lots of delicious treats—including gelato! We made pizza sugar cookies, created Italy-themed crafts, and had a blast playing Italy Bingo. Our favorite part may have been chatting about personal memories and trips to Italy. Hearing our Residents share their stories, experiences, and favorite places made the week extra special. Through conversation, creativity, food, and meaningful experiences, we love finding ways to bring the world to our Residents and encourage purposeful engagement the Montessori way!

COVID Clinic Coming to Bickford The health and well-being of our residents remains a top priority. Bickford will be offering an onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinic for residents on September 17. Older adults are at a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, making vaccination an important tool in helping protect their health and maintain their quality of life. In a senior living community, staying up to date on vaccinations can also help support the well-being of friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

Today our Residents and staff were treated to a delicious Hot Dog Day! A huge thank you to Angels Grace Hospice for providing such a fun and tasty treat for everyone. And thank you, Jerry, for manning the grill and keeping those hot dogs coming! We appreciate you all for making today extra special for our Staff & Residents! Our Residents in Mary B’s didn’t just enjoy eating hot dogs—they got creative with some hot dog art too! What a fun way to celebrate Hot Dog Day with a little creativity, laughter, and plenty of smiles!

August is the perfect month to bring the golden sweetness of summer into your Montessori environment — and what better way than with a hands-on, sensory-rich activity like shucking fresh corn? At Bickford of Aurora both our Assisted Living and Memory Care Residents enjoyed helping to prepare our County Fair meal by shucking the sweet corn! I LOVE doing this with the Residents in August. We enjoy Reminiscing about all the times they shucked corn, even heard about one Resident who shucked lots of corn for the Sugar Grove Corn boil for years! Then there’s the excitement shown when peeling away the green and finding those golden Kernels!! Great time!! #assistedliving#montessorimemorycare#higherpath

Our Residents enjoyed a day filled with all the fun of the fair—from a petting zoo and cotton candy to bacon-wrapped corn, fair games, and prizes! There were smiles, laughter, and plenty of wonderful memories made. A huge thank you to Kate’s Kritters for bringing your amazing petting zoo to our Residents! Animal interactions can be incredibly therapeutic and bring such comfort, joy, and connection to our Residents. We are so grateful you helped make our County Fair Day so special

Bringing Joy One Paw at a Time! On Saturday, our Bickford family enjoyed a special visit from a furry friend! I brought Oakley to visit the Residents in both Assisted Living and Memory Care. The smiles, laughter, and warm cuddles shared during our dog visit were truly priceless. Pet visits provide comfort, companionship, and opportunities for meaningful connection for our residents. We love seeing the positive impact these visits have on emotional well-being and social engagement. Thank you to our four-legged friend for brightening our day and creating such special moments. ❤️ At Bickford, it's the little moments that make the biggest difference. We are pet friendly!! #HigherPath #BickfordFamily #EnrichingHappiness #PetTherapy #CreatingJoy #MeaningfulMoments

There were plenty of smiles to go around today when Olivia brought her adorable dog to visit our Residents! The unconditional love of a dog has a special way of brightening the day, sparking conversations, and bringing back cherished memories. Animal interactions encourage meaningful engagement, reduce stress, and promote emotional well-being—making them a wonderful part of living the Montessori way. Thank you, Olivia, for sharing your furry friend and helping create such a joyful afternoon for our Residents!

Everyone had a wonderful time husking fresh corn for Chef William to prepare for lunch! Our Residents were happy to lend a helping hand and be an important part of the mealtime process. These purposeful acts are a beautiful part of living the Montessori way—encouraging independence, connection, and a true sense of belonging.

Today we had a wonderful Music Hour with Corey! Everyone enjoyed singing along, tapping their toes, and sharing in the joy of music. We also had a delicious apple dipping social, making for a sweet afternoon filled with music, laughter, and good company!