Our hearts (and tummies) are full! Thank you all of our “Angels” for their generosity this Christmas! You’ve helped put smiles on the faces of those we all love! The Christmas spirit was alive this morning as we sang songs, played games, snacked on Teresa’s fabulous and famous Christmas goodies, and opened gifts! The smiles were shining ! Merry Christmas to you and yours from our Bickford family to yours!

Slowing Down for the Season: A Holiday Self Care Reminder Christmas often arrives in a blur — lights twinkling, calendars filling, expectations piling up faster than we can keep track. It’s beautiful, yes, but it can also be overwhelming. And in the middle of all that motion, there’s a quiet invitation we sometimes forget to accept: the chance to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters. This season, self care isn’t just a luxury. It’s important because it protects your energy, your joy, and your ability to be present. When you’re constantly rushing, you miss the small moments that make the holidays meaningful. When you’re exhausted, even the things you love can start to feel like obligations. But when you give yourself space to rest, everything softens — your mood, your mindset, your capacity to enjoy the people around you. ✨ Slow down. A gentler pace helps you actually experience the season instead of racing through it. ✨ Breathe. A few intentional moments of stillness can reset your entire day and calm the holiday chaos. ✨ Enjoy your people. Not in a perfect, curated way — but in the real, warm, imperfect way that creates the memories you’ll carry forward. This matters because the holidays aren’t about performing or keeping up. They’re about connection. They’re about presence. They’re about noticing the laughter in the kitchen, the quiet conversations, the shared traditions that only make sense to your family. Those moments only happen when you’re grounded enough to see them. So this Christmas, give yourself permission to step out of the whirlwind. Let the season be simple. Let it be soft. Let it be yours. When you take care of yourself, you make room for the kind of joy that lasts long after the decorations come down. When your season has settled and you are ready to look at a community that encourages you to care for yourself, while we care for your loved one call Mercedes at 515-573-3300 to arrange a tour. Come see us and feel the Bickford difference. #bickfordoffortdodge #higherpath #greaterfortdodgegrowthalliance

Thank you to all who joined our Annual Hot Cocoa and Cookie decorating event! The residents had a lot of fun ! Thanks Teresa for the Twix cookies, fudge, and cut out cookies!

We were full of Christmas spirit this afternoon as we sang Christmas carols and played Christmas charades!

At Bickford of Fort Dodge, we believe every step our residents take should be safe, confident, and full of dignity. That’s why fall reduction is at the heart of our Higher Path Model. Preventing falls isn’t just about avoiding accidents—it’s about protecting independence, preserving quality of life, and ensuring that every resident can continue to enjoy the moments that matter most. Falls can change lives in an instant. A broken hip, a head injury, or a fractured arm can lead to surgery, hospitalization, and long recovery periods. More than that, they can take away the freedom to move, the confidence to live fully, and the joy of everyday activities. By preventing falls, we protect not only physical health but also emotional well-being, independence, and peace of mind for families. So what does prevention look like? It starts with listening—meeting with families to uncover the root causes of falls and creating personalized action plans. It continues with therapy partnerships: • Physical Therapy (PT): building strength and balance • Occupational Therapy (OT): helping residents navigate their environment and daily routines with confidence • Speech Therapy (ST): supporting cognitive skills and addressing swallowing concerns Our dedicated staff go further, increasing daily check-ins, implementing toilet schedules when needed, and encouraging residents to spend time in common areas where support is always close by. Every measure we take is guided by one goal: keeping our residents safe, happy, and thriving. And the results speak for themselves. In the past year, Bickford of Fort Dodge reduced its fall rate by 42%. That’s not just a number—it represents countless moments of safety, countless families spared the worry of a phone call about an accident. At Bickford, fall prevention is more than a program. It’s a promise: to do Whatever It Takes to protect the people you love, so they can keep walking their Higher Path with confidence and joy. Living Happier, Healthier-Longer. If you would like to come experience the difference Bickford of Fort Dodge offers call Mercedes at 515-573-3300. She would love to show you around and talk to you about the difference that Bickford of Fort Dodge has to offer. #bickfordoffortdodge #greaterfortdodgegrowthalliance #higherpath

Choosing a senior living community is a big decision, and seeing a place in person makes all the difference. At Bickford, we provide personalized care, engaging activities, and a warm, welcoming environment where residents can thrive. When you tour our community, you’ll meet our compassionate staff, see the vibrant lifestyle we offer, and experience the comfortable, home-like atmosphere that sets Bickford apart. Families often tell us that visiting gives them peace of mind, knowing their loved one will be supported, safe, and valued every day. Come see for yourself why Bickford isn’t just a place to live—it’s a place to feel at home, stay active, and enjoy every day to the fullest. Call Mercedes at 515-605-7649 schedule a tour today and discover the difference firsthand. #BickfordofFortDodge #ThisisFortDodge #CaringMatters

Thank you to both the Trinity UMC and the First UMC for visiting Sunday to share their wonderful music with the residents of Bickford of Ft Dodge! We are music lovers and it means so much to us that you took the time out of your afternoon and evening to spend it with us! Merry Christmas!

A Message from the Director-- Bickford Cottage Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fort Dodge Falls are not a “normal part of aging.” They’re an independence crisis. Falls are often dismissed as something that “just happens” as we get older—but the truth is far more serious. For older adults, a single fall can change everything: mobility, independence, confidence, and even life expectancy. According to the CDC, an older adult falls every single second in the United States. That’s more than 36 million falls every year, and over 32,000 deaths annually. The financial impact is staggering as well—over $50 billion in healthcare costs each year, much of it paid through Medicare and Medicaid. But behind these statistics are real people whose lives are disrupted not only by broken bones, but by the fear of falling again. And that fear can quietly steal independence long before an actual fall ever happens. ________________________________________ The Hidden Crisis: Seniors Fear Losing Independence More Than Death For most older adults, independence is everything. In a recent sample survey of older adults by the CDC: • 89% said independence was their top priority • 53% feared health issues • 26% feared memory loss • 23% feared mobility limitations • Yet almost none listed falls as their biggest risk—despite falls being the number one cause of injury-related death among seniors This disconnect is dangerous. If seniors don’t recognize falls as a major threat, they’re far less likely to take proactive steps to prevent them. That’s why education, awareness, and prevention programs are essential—and why Bickford’s Higher Path tracks fall metrics and incorporates a specialized balance training program designed by Millennium Therapy into our exercise programming. But even when we recognize fall risk, fear itself can become a barrier to independence and joy. And that’s where knowing our residents—truly knowing them—makes all the difference. ________________________________________ A Bickford Cottage of Fort Dodge Success Story: How Listening Changes Lives We’d like to share a recent moment that reminds us why we do what we do. Dianne, one of our residents, absolutely loves Christmas. We recently planned an outing to see the holiday displays at Kennedy Lights. When first asked, Dianne was thrilled—she wore her festive outfit all day in preparation. But later that afternoon, she told our Activities Director that she no longer wished to go. Despite asking several times, Dianne simply said, “No.” Our Director, Christine, knowing how much this outing meant to Dianne, sat down with her. After a moment, she gently asked why. Dianne sighed and said, “It’s been cold and snowy. I use a cane. I’m afraid of falling on the ice. If I fall, that’ll be the end for me.” Christine took her hand and said, “That’s what we’re here for. What if I could make it so you wouldn’t have to walk at all?” Christine explained her plan: “I have a wheelchair. We can bundle you up, get you seated comfortably, and I will personally take you to the bus. You won’t have to walk—and you’ll still get to see the Christmas lights.” After hearing this, Dianne agreed. She put on her red jacket, we got her onto the bus safely, and Christine sat beside her. Together, they sang Christmas carols and enjoyed a beautiful night of lights and laughter. When they returned, we ensured she stayed safe and warm using the same careful approach. ________________________________________ This Is What Sets Bickford Apart When something matters to our residents, it matters to us. The Higher Path is about more than preventing falls. It is about removing the barriers that interfere with independence, joy, and meaningful moments. Bickford Cottage of Fort Dodge’s Higher Path doesn’t take independence away. It strengthens it. It protects it. It ensures it lasts. Because here, independence doesn’t mean being alone. It means having someone beside you who truly cares—someone who asks the important questions, listens deeply, and finds solutions that help residents continue living life fully, safely, and joyfully. At Bickford, when it matters to you, it matters to us.

As Christmas approaches, our hearts turn to those who may be less fortunate. This year, our Angel Tree was filled with tags representing the wishes of our tenants—and now, as you can see, every single tag has been taken. Our staff, handpicked for their compassion and commitment to our tenants, picked up most of the tags and as in years past our tenant families and St Croix Hospice helped as well. At Bickford, we believe in the Higher Path proactive approach to health care and live by our motto: WHATEVER IT TAKES. The empty tree is more than just a holiday tradition—it’s a symbol of the love, dedication, and care our team provides every day. Why Does This Matter: • Connection combats loneliness: The holidays can be difficult and lonely time for seniors; this tradition reminds them they are cherished. • Staff commitment reflects quality of care: When caregivers go above and beyond for holiday wishes, families can trust they’ll do the same for health and daily needs. • Community spirit strengthens bonds: The Angel Tree is not just about gifts—it’s about creating a culture of compassion that uplifts everyone. If you want your loved one to be surrounded by staff who care this deeply, we invite you to call Mercedes, our Family Advocate, at 515-573-3300 to schedule a tour. Come experience the warmth and commitment of Bickford of Fort Dodge for yourself. #bickfordoffortdodge #greaterfortdodgegrowthalliance #higherpath #whateverittakes

Jessica is truly the shining star of our team. Her positivity, dedication, and the way she consistently goes above and beyond make a remarkable impact every single day. Please help us in congratulating Jessica on her anniversary. Thank you, Jessica, for bringing such commitment, heart, and excellence to everything you do. Happy Anniversary!