Don had some special visitors yesterday!

Thank you to everyone who attended our Fall Family Council Meeting last night! Special thanks to our speaker, Chaplain Caleb Blake, from St.Croix Hospice, the outstanding kitchen staff for the delicious soups and cinnamon rolls, and to the families who joined us!

The very talented Zimmerman girls blessed us with a beautiful recital. What a beautiful and kind family. Bickford welcomes families, groups, schools and churches to bring smiles to the residents faces through music!

What a BOO-tiful night at Bickford Senior Living! A HUGE thank-you to our amazing community for showing up in such a big way for Trick-or-Treat night! We loved seeing all the little ghosts, goblins, superheroes, princesses, and everything in between! Our residents had an absolute blast passing out candy, seeing all the creative costumes, and watching the kids enjoy the Halloween inflatables! There were plenty of smiles, laughter, and maybe a little candy sneaking along the way! Thank you for making Bickford part of your Halloween traditions and for sharing your evening with us. Our residents loved every minute of it! Special thanks to Christine and her family for bringing their Inflateables and the hours it took to set them all up! It’s safe to say we had a howling good time!!

With election day tomorrow, November 3 I want to make sure that each of our residents he wishes to vote has the opportunity to do so. We recognize that some families may have already assisted their loved ones with absentee balance while others may be planning to take them to the polls. If your loved one has not yet voted and would like to vote in person we encourage you to make arrangements to accompany them to their polling location. We also understand that not every family is available to do so. If your loved one would like to vote, but needs assistance with transportation please let us know as soon as possible so we can coordinate arrangements. We will make transportation arrangements by appointment only. To help us plan we appreciate hearing from you regarding whether your loved one has already voted absentee ballot whether you plan to take them to vote or whether they would appreciate our assistance getting to the polls. Voting is an important right we want to honor the wishes independence of each resident who chooses to participate. As always, thank you for participating for your partnership communication and the trust you place in us to care for your loved ones. The resident will need a form of ID and to be registered with Bickford’s precinct. We cannot transport to other polling locations.

Farewell Message for Rebekah Rose, ARNP Goodbyes are hard, but saying goodbye to someone as exceptional as Rebekah Rose, ARNP, is even harder. Bekah, we are so proud of all that you have accomplished. Earning a second Master's degree in Nursing and becoming a mental health provider is an incredible achievement that reflects your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to helping others. Few people can say they have earned two master's degrees, and that accomplishment speaks volumes about your work ethic and determination. Throughout your time with us, you have made a lasting difference through your compassion, professionalism, and genuine care for those around you. While we will miss your presence and the contributions you have made to our team, we are excited to see you begin this next chapter. As you move into outpatient mental health care, you will be providing services that are needed now more than ever. The lives you touch and the support you provide will make a profound difference in your community. As Bekah shared in her farewell message: "At Bickford Place of Fort Dodge, the care is truly exceptional. All team members are patient advocates, from the caring administration team to the amazing nursing staff, to the compassionate care team and medication aides. It is a community of warmth, where the residents are caring, friendly, and it is clear that new relationships and friendships grow here every day. The residents and staff are like family. It is an exceptionally warm, caring environment. It was truly a joy and privilege to care for the wonderful residents here and work with the exceptional, skilled, and empathic staff. I would absolutely send any of my family members or friends here to experience the caring, compassionate environment that this community provides. Bickford Place of Fort Dodge is excellence in care. Thank you again for the privilege to serve you all and for the amazing experience I had at this wonderful facility. I will miss you all dearly. I will carry this excellent place and what I learned from all of you with me." Those words reflect not only the kind of professional Bekah is, but also the relationships she built here. Her appreciation for this community, our residents, and our team speaks to the genuine connections she fostered during her time with us. Bekah, thank you for your kindness, your dedication, and the countless ways you have enriched the lives of those around you. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement. We wish you continued success, happiness, and fulfillment as you begin this exciting new role. While we are sad to see you go, we are incredibly proud of you and grateful for the time we have shared. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Best wishes as you embark on this new journey of providing hope, healing, and support to those in need. #bickfordoffortdodge #higherpath #curanahealthcare

Some of us have been busy painting pumpkins for our contest tomorrow, while others have been putting labels on candy for the trick or treaters on Saturday evening!

Stop by during regular trick or treat hours this Saturday! Our residents will love seeing the costumes and smiles!

A BIG Bickford thank-you to the wonderful students from St. Edmond and their teacher, Danny, for spending time with us and helping our residents paint pumpkins! We loved having you join us for some fall fun, creativity, and a little pumpkin magic! These intergenerational visits mean so much to our residents, and we’re grateful for the memories made and smiles shared. Thank you, St. Edmond, for helping make Bickford a little brighter, one painted pumpkin at a time! #BickfordSeniorLiving #StEdmond #IntergenerationalConnections #FallFun #MakingMemories #WhateverItTakes

Calling All Entertainers, Students, Churches & Community Groups! Our residents at Bickford Senior Living in Fort Dodge Iove welcoming new faces, and we’re looking to fill our calendar with even more smiles, music, and memorable moments! We’re inviting: * School choirs & band students * Church groups * Drama clubs & dance groups * Daycares & preschool classes * Musicians, singers, and local performers * Anyone who loves sharing their talents with seniors! As we head into the holiday season, we’re especially hoping to fill our calendar with Christmas carolers, holiday music, and festive performances. There’s nothing quite like seeing our residents light up when familiar songs fill the hallways. If you or your group would like to perform or volunteer, we’d love to hear from you! Please send us a message or give us a call to help us make this holiday season one to remember. Call Jess at 515-573-3300 Please share this post so we can spread the word throughout our community!