Walking in Their Shoes: Dementia Training
A huge thank you to Kayla and Elaina from Heart-to-Heart Hospice for joining us today and providing an incredibly meaningful dementia training for our team!
We even had a special participant join in — our resident Lynne wanted to give it a try too! She put on the glasses used to simulate changes in vision, looked around and immediately joked, “I can’t even see out of these!" She was such a good sport and had everyone smiling!
This hands-on training challenged our staff to experience just a small glimpse of what growing older and living with dementia can feel like.
Participants wore gloves with cotton balls in the fingertips to simulate loss of dexterity, glasses partially covered with tape to represent changes in vision, and beads inside their shoes to simulate the discomfort of neuropathy.
While experiencing all of those limitations, they were asked to complete everyday tasks like counting out beans to represent managing medications, folding a dishtowel, writing a letter to their family, and attempting to button a shirt — all while receiving their instructions only once and very quickly.
Tasks that normally seem simple suddenly became frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming.
It was a powerful reminder that when one of our residents struggles with an everyday task or ADL, there may be so much more happening than what we can see. Changes in vision, decreased dexterity, neuropathy, dementia, and difficulty processing instructions can turn an ordinary task into a real challenge.
Most importantly, today reminded us of the importance of slowing down, giving one direction at a time, offering assistance when needed, and approaching every interaction with patience, dignity, and compassion.
Thank you again to Kayla and Elaina for giving our team the opportunity to step into our residents’ shoes for a little while today. Experiences like this help us better understand the people we care for every day and continue providing the compassionate, person-centered care they deserve.
#BickfordOfBattleCreek #DementiaAwareness #DementiaCare #SeniorLiving #CompassionateCare #PersonCenteredCare #HeartToHeartHospice #WalkInTheirShoes
Jordyn Palladeno
Sep 23, 2026
Not every senior care need requires a permanent move. At Bickford of Battle Creek, we offer short-term stays designed to provide peace of mind for families and quality care for loved ones. Whether your loved one is recovering from a hospital stay, needs therapy services, or family simply needs a break from caregiving, our Retreat Stay offers a safe, welcoming environment with personalized support. The Retreat Stay includes: - Fully furnished apartment - Three home-cooked meals daily - Medication management - Assistance with daily activities - Therapy coordination and engaging activities Let us care for your loved one while you care for yourself. Call our Family Advocate, Jordyn, today to learn more about our Retreat Stay options at Bickford of Battle Creek - (269)520-7451. #BickfordOfBattleCreek #RespiteCare #HospitalToHome #Rehab #CareGiverSupport #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare
Jordyn Palladeno
Sep 22, 2026
Today Is National Falls Prevention Day! A fall can change everything, but the right support can make all the difference. At Bickford of Battle Creek, resident safety is a top priority. Through our HigherPath Health Model, we take a proactive approach to wellness with a dedicated team focused on identifying risks, monitoring changes, and implementing personalized fall prevention strategies before concerns become emergencies. Our comprehensive fall prevention team works together to help residents maintain their independence, confidence, and quality of life in a safe, supportive environment. If you're caring for a loved one and wondering if they're truly safe at home, now may be the right time to explore your options. Schedule a tour today with our Family Advocate, Jordyn, and learn how Bickford of Battle Creek combines compassionate care, clinical oversight, and personalized support to help seniors live their best life every day. Call Jordyn at (269)520-7451 to schedule your tour. #NationalFallsPreventionDay #BickfordofBattleCreek #HigherPathHealth #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #SeniorSafety #BattleCreekMI #SeniorLiving #CareYouCanTrust #FamilyPeaceOfMind
Kaitlyn Damerow
Sep 22, 2026
Happy Centenarians Day! Here at Bickford of Battle Creek, we have the incredible honor of celebrating not one, but TWO very special residents who reached the remarkable milestone of 100 years young this year — Herb and Delores! A century of life means 100 years of memories, laughter, love, challenges overcome, and countless stories worth sharing. What a privilege it is to know these two wonderful individuals and have them as part of our Bickford family. Today, we celebrate Herb and Delores, their incredible journeys, the wisdom they carry, and the joy they bring to our community. Here's to Herb and Delores — 100 years young and absolutely amazing! #BickfordOfBattleCreek #HappyCentenariansDay #100YearsYoung #CelebratingLifeEveryDay
Kaitlyn Damerow
Sep 22, 2026
Happy 65th Birthday, Karen! Today, we’re celebrating a very special lady here at Bickford of Battle Creek! Please join us in wishing Karen a wonderful 65th birthday! We hope your day is filled with love, laughter, sweet treats, and all the things that make you smile. Cheers to 65 years and many more beautiful memories to come! We are so happy to celebrate YOU today, Karen! #BickfordOfBattleCreek #HappyBirthday #65YearsYoung #SeniorLivingFun
Kaitlyn Damerow
Sep 22, 2026
The fruits of our labor… literally! Our Gardening Club has officially harvested what might just be the world’s SMALLEST tomatoes and cucumber! They may not be winning any awards for size, but they certainly gave us a good laugh! The best part? We grew these little guys ourselves, all the way from seeds! From planting and watering to patiently watching them grow, our residents have put so much love and care into our garden. They may be tiny, but our pride is HUGE! Sometimes it’s the little things (and we mean REALLY little) that bring the biggest smiles. #BickfordOfBattleCreek #GardeningClub #FruitsOfOurLabor #SmallButMighty #SeniorLiving #GrowingTogether
Jordyn Palladeno
Sep 14, 2026
Grandparents hold our hands for a little while, but our hearts forever. Today on National Grandparents Day, we're celebrating the incredible lives, stories, and experiences of the seniors who make our community so special. At Bickford of Battle Creek, every resident has a story worth sharing, friendships worth building, and moments worth celebrating. If you're looking for a community where your loved one can thrive, we'd be honored to show you around. Schedule a tour with our Family Advocate, Jordyn, and experience the warmth, care, and family atmosphere that make Bickford feel like home. Call Jordyn today to learn more - (269)520-7451. #NationalGrandparentsDay #BickfordOfBattleCreek #MoreThanSeniorLiving #BattleCreekMI
Kaitlyn Damerow
Sep 9, 2026
A Little Late, But We Couldn't Forget Our Labor Day Fun! We had such a wonderful time celebrating Labor Day on Monday! We put everyone's knowledge to the test with a “Guess the Occupation” game! Residents and staff were shown different pictures representing occupations from over the years and had to figure out which job they belonged to. A nurse's cap represented a nurse, an old-fashioned switchboard represented a telephone operator, a Halligan tool represented a firefighter, and a barn and tractor represented a farmer — just to name a few! What started as a guessing game quickly turned into something even better: reminiscing and storytelling. The pictures sparked some wonderful conversations as our residents' shared stories about the jobs they held when they were younger, the work they did, and how much some occupations have changed over the years. We loved hearing about their experiences! Afterward, our residents enjoyed a wonderful Labor Day lunch prepared especially for them, with the option to take advantage of the beautiful day and dine outside in our courtyard. Between the games, memories, good conversation, and delicious food, it was a great holiday enjoyed by residents and staff alike! Happy belated Labor Day from all of us! #BickfordOfBattleCreek #HappyLaborDay #LivingWithPurpose #ResidentEngagement #MontessoriMoments #LaborDay #SeniorLiving #MakingMemories #Reminiscing #ResidentEngagement #LifeAtBickford #PurposefulEngagement
Kaitlyn Damerow
Sep 9, 2026
Walking in Their Shoes: Dementia Training A huge thank you to Kayla and Elaina from Heart-to-Heart Hospice for joining us today and providing an incredibly meaningful dementia training for our team! We even had a special participant join in — our resident Lynne wanted to give it a try too! She put on the glasses used to simulate changes in vision, looked around and immediately joked, “I can’t even see out of these!" She was such a good sport and had everyone smiling! This hands-on training challenged our staff to experience just a small glimpse of what growing older and living with dementia can feel like. Participants wore gloves with cotton balls in the fingertips to simulate loss of dexterity, glasses partially covered with tape to represent changes in vision, and beads inside their shoes to simulate the discomfort of neuropathy. While experiencing all of those limitations, they were asked to complete everyday tasks like counting out beans to represent managing medications, folding a dishtowel, writing a letter to their family, and attempting to button a shirt — all while receiving their instructions only once and very quickly. Tasks that normally seem simple suddenly became frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming. It was a powerful reminder that when one of our residents struggles with an everyday task or ADL, there may be so much more happening than what we can see. Changes in vision, decreased dexterity, neuropathy, dementia, and difficulty processing instructions can turn an ordinary task into a real challenge. Most importantly, today reminded us of the importance of slowing down, giving one direction at a time, offering assistance when needed, and approaching every interaction with patience, dignity, and compassion. Thank you again to Kayla and Elaina for giving our team the opportunity to step into our residents’ shoes for a little while today. Experiences like this help us better understand the people we care for every day and continue providing the compassionate, person-centered care they deserve. #BickfordOfBattleCreek #DementiaAwareness #DementiaCare #SeniorLiving #CompassionateCare #PersonCenteredCare #HeartToHeartHospice #WalkInTheirShoes
Jordyn Palladeno
Sep 9, 2026
Today is National Care Bears™ Share Your Care Day, a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference. At Bickford of Battle Creek, caring isn't just something we do, it's who we are. From a warm smile in the hallway to helping residents create meaningful connections, we believe every day is an opportunity to share a little extra love, friendship, and happiness. If you've been looking for a senior living community where compassion comes first, we'd love to show you what makes Bickford feel like home. Call our Family Advocate, Jordyn, to schedule a tour today and experience the difference that genuine care can make. (269)520-7451 How will you share your care today? #ShareYourCare #CareBearsDay #BickfordOfBattleCreek #HigherPath #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #SeniorLiving #BattleCreekMI #MakingADifference #FamilyAndFriends #MoreThanAHome #TourToday
Jordyn Palladeno
Sep 3, 2026
What if the best way to understand senior living isn't through a brochure, but through a visit? At Bickford of Battle Creek, we invite you to come see our community for yourself. Meet our team, explore our beautiful home-like setting, experience our daily lifestyle, and discover the peace of mind that comes with having care available when it's needed. Whether you're planning ahead or actively exploring options for a loved one, a personal tour can make all the difference. Call Jordyn at (269)520-7451 or text us today to schedule your tour! Bickford of Battle Creek - Where happiness lives. #BickfordOfBattleCreek #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #HappinessStartsHere #WeLoveOurResidents