Happy Grandparent’s Day from all of us at Bickford Senior Living!

HAWKEYES vs. CYCLONES: GAME NIGHT AT BICKFORD! Saturday night brought out the Iowa vs. Iowa State rivalry at Bickford! Our residents gathered for plenty of laughs, friendly competition, and LOTS of yummy snacks. Of course, everyone had an opinion on how the night would end! Residents put their best guesses to the test in our Final Score Prediction Contest. Some predictions were based on football knowledge… and some may have been based on pure Iowa optimism! Who guessed it right? Stay tuned! We’ll be announcing the winner of our score prediction contest soon! Good food, great company, and a little Hawkeye-Cyclone rivalry made for a pretty entertaining Saturday night!

We had so much fun at our Pre-game day tailgate today! Lots of cheering, Pom poms, laughter and friendly rivalry! Thanks to the families who joined us! And thanks to our residents for making a delicious snack mix to share for the game Tomorrow!

Laura and Marnie were busy discussing how badly the Hawkeyes are going to beat the Clones. Alex and Jess definitely agree!

Mavis helped Jess and Alex with the fall decorating this week! I think she liked this scarecrow best because she decided to give him a ride through the halls!

Sometimes the biggest wins come from the smallest things. In this photo, a WanderGuard sits on a table. To many people, it may not look like much, but to one resident and his family, it represents hope, healing, and independence regained. When he moved into Bickford of Fort Dodge at the end of April, he was struggling with significant weakness, confusion, and memory decline. His wife faced the heartbreaking decision to seek additional support for his care. At that time, he required a WanderGuard to help keep him safe. Over the past several months, he worked hard with Physical and Occupational Therapy and received daily encouragement from our team. As he grew physically stronger, his cognition also improved. After a thorough reassessment, we were able to remove his WanderGuard. What once symbolized a need for increased supervision now sits unused, representing the progress he has made. Today, he is more independent, more engaged, and able to do much more for himself. When asked what he likes most about being at Bickford, his response was simple but powerful: "I feel safe, taken care of, and loved." This is why we come to work each day. Every step toward greater independence is a victory, and this week's win is one worth celebrating. This resident's success is a testament to the impact of compassionate care, dedicated therapy services, and a team that believes in helping each resident reach their highest potential. Restoring independence, dignity, and quality of life is something we strive for every day, and moments like this remind us of the difference we can make. If you would like to see what we can do to help your loved ones call Mercedes at 515-573-3300 and she would be happy to show you around and show you what Bickford of Fort Dodge is all about. #higherpath #bickfordoffortdodge #fortdodgegreatergrowthalliance #higherpathwin #pt/ot #wanderguard #improvement

Today our Bickford Baking Club got a little flour on our hands and a whole lot of purpose in our day! We teamed up with Teresa to make Kringla, and our residents were right in the middle of it all. Measuring, mixing, rolling, shaping, and, of course, sampling the finished product! This is Montessori in action at Bickford. Meaningful activities aren’t just about keeping busy. They’re about giving our residents opportunities to use familiar skills, make choices, contribute to the group, and take pride in creating something with their own hands. #higherpath #Bickfordoffortdodge #montessori

Falls during the last EOS quarter were significantly higher than expected, totaling 40 incidents compared to 17 in the previous quarter. Approximately four residents accounted for the majority of this dramatic increase. This quarter, our team has worked diligently to address fall risks and improve resident safety. At the halfway point of the quarter, we have recorded only 6 falls, with no resulting injuries. To support this improvement, staff members are conducting checks on every resident at least every two hours and proactively anticipating the needs of those who are less independent before they attempt tasks on their own. Proactively anticipating residents' needs has played a key role in reducing falls. Many falls occur when residents attempt to get up independently to use the restroom, retrieve an item, or complete another task without assistance. By regularly checking in, identifying needs before they arise, and offering assistance before residents attempt these activities on their own, staff can reduce the likelihood of unsafe transfers or unassisted ambulation. This proactive approach not only decreases fall risk but also helps residents feel supported, secure, and confident that assistance is readily available when needed. This reduction is especially important because falls can have a significant impact on residents' health, independence, confidence, and overall quality of life. By preventing falls, we help reduce the risk of injury, hospitalization, and emotional distress while promoting a safer and more supportive living environment. The decrease in falls also reflects our team's commitment to providing proactive, high-quality care and ensuring that residents can maintain their highest level of well-being, living healthier happier and longer lives. We are incredibly proud of the commitment and teamwork demonstrated by our staff, which has contributed to this substantial reduction in falls. Our goal is to maintain this positive momentum throughout the remainder of the quarter and continue providing a safe environment for all residents. If you would like to take a look around call Mercedes at 515-573-3300. She would be happy to show you how we, here at Bickford of Fort Dodge strive to keep you or your loved ones safe and happy. #higherpath @bickfordoffortdodge #greaterfortdodgegrowthalliance #happierhealthierlonger #montessoriengagement

At Bickford, care is about so much more than helping with the things our residents need throughout the day. It’s about getting to know them, spending time with them, laughing with them and being there for the big moments and the little ones. Over time, something pretty special happens. Our residents become part of our family, and our staff become part of theirs. We celebrate birthdays together. We enjoy music together. We play bingo, make crafts, garden, go on outings and share plenty of laughs. Sometimes it’s something as simple as sitting down and having a conversation that makes someone’s day. That’s what we love about Bickford. Care turns into connection, connection turns into friendship, and before you know it, we’re one big family. We’re not just here to care for our residents. We’re here to enjoy life with them. If you’re looking for a community where your loved one will be cared for, known and truly welcomed, come meet our Bickford family. Bickford of Fort Dodge Call Mercedes at 515-605-7649 to schedule a tour. #HigherPath #BickfordofFortDodge #Seniorlivesmatter #CaringMatter

The residents engaged in a rousing game of balloon swat! Great exercise and so much competitive fun!!