One of the things we hear most from families is: “We wish we had started looking sooner. “ The truth is, assisted living decisions are often made during a stressful moment-after a fall, illness, or hospital stay. But planning ahead can make all the difference. We all start with the same promise: I will take care of her myself. But health issues have a way of changing the rules. What started as simple plan of action , turns into a 24 seven vigilance. You’re no longer just a daughter or son; you’ve become a nurse, a security guard, chauffeur and a chef. . If you feel frustrated, exhausted, or even angry, you aren’t failing- you’re simply at the end of what one person can humanly do. At Bickford Senior Living of Marshalltown, joining our waitlist, doesn’t mean you have to move right away. It simply gives your family options and peace of mind if the need of arises. Sometimes the best gift we can give our loved ones is a plan. If assisted living has crossed your mind for someone you love, we’d love to meet you! Schedule a tour and ask about our waitlist today. 641-354-5996

Meet Don: Walking a Higher Path and Becoming the Heart of Our Community If you spend even a few minutes walking the hallways of Bickford Senior Living, you are bound to run into Don. With a friendly smile and an endless supply of sports trivia, Don has quickly become a shining example of what it means to live a higher path full of connection, joy, and purpose. As a self-proclaimed sports fanatic, Don brings a unique energy to Bickford every single day. Whether he is breaking down last night’s game or analyzing player stats, his passion for life and athletics is entirely contagious. A Master Conversationalist Don has never met a stranger. Thanks to his natural gift of gab and warm personality, he has made countless friends since moving in. He is the ultimate conversationalist, effortlessly moving from deep discussions about sports history to enthusiastic debates about the current season. For Don, every mealtime and hallway greeting is an opportunity to connect, share a laugh, and make someone’s day a little brighter. Spoiled by Care & Catching Up on Zzzs While Don spends a lot of his time pouring into others through conversation, he is quick to share how much is poured back into him. Don recently shared that he feels completely spoiled by our caregivers and is consistently impressed by the entire team. Between his busy socializing schedule, Don is also thoroughly enjoying catching up on his sleep and enjoying some well-deserved relaxation. "They truly go above and beyond," Don says of the team. Our caregivers strive to treat every resident like family, and knowing Don feels that love and comfort is the greatest reward we could ask for. The Fever, The Beard, and The Debate! Being a sports fanatic means Don's fandom never takes a season off. Lately, he has been loving watching the Indiana Fever play, bringing his signature enthusiasm to every broadcast. He’s also sporting a brand-new look these days. Don is currently growing out a beard—a style choice he is fully embracing, despite what Mary Ann thinks! It’s just another example of Don's fun-loving, independent spirit that we all know and love. Don reminds us all that senior living isn't just about receiving care—it's about thriving, laughing, and building deep connections. We are so lucky to have his sports fandom and his big heart as part of our Bickford family.

We work very hard to come up with activities that will grab attention and spark fun things to keep our Residents happy and fulfilled. Today, the activities were fun, but two Residents decided to get their hair done and we just had to share!!! A day of making ourselves feel pampered and beautiful should be an every day thing, and we strive for just that!!! So, smile pretty Linda and Jeanine, you both are stunning!!! #marshalltown #bickfordofmarshalltown #dayofbeauty #whateverittakes #montessori

When you have to figure out what will grab the attention of your wonderful Residents, you put some hot air in a blue balloon (easier to see for those who have trouble), write the word "Smile" on it and call it Hot Balloon, you have a game that every Resident can not resist and enjoys thoroughly! The pure joy and laughter and smiles, carried through the hallways here at Bickford. Such a great ROM exercise activity for our Residents! We now know who played professional volleyball back in the day! And we can not wait to hit that balloon around again!! #marshalltown #bickfordofmarshalltown #balloonfun #whateverittakes #montessori

We couldn’t do it without them-our dedicated caregivers are the heart of Bickford of Marshalltown. During National Assisted Living Week, we celebrate the compassion, kindness, and light they bring to our residents and families each day. Thank you for helping our community shine through the years. #NALW #CaregiverAppreciation

Who says you can only brag I mean blog only once a day?? Wink wink!! We just had to share the smiles on these ladies faces!!! When asked what had them laughing so hard, they just laughed even harder!!! We said, "just because"? They said, "sure"!! We just had to capture and share one of the many happy and silly moments that happens here at Bickford on a daily basis. Whatever it takes. #marshalltown #bickfordofmarshalltown #happyladies #whateverittakes #montessori

Helllooooo Monday!!!! We started the morning off right today with some indoor walking (obviously). These ladies were all smiles and talkative too, all about their weekend! I think they know the importance of exercising daily in one way or another. They even do it on the weekends!! We are super proud of our Walking Club here at Bickford of Marshalltown!!! I mean, just look at those beautiful faces!!! #marshalltown #bickfordofmarshalltown #morning #walkingclub #happyresidents #montessori

Spotlight On The Higher Path: Meeting Sandy, Our Stylish Spark of Joy At Bickford Senior Living in Marshalltown, we believe that aging isn't about slowing down—it’s about stepping into your purpose. Through our signature philosophy, The Higher Path, we create an environment where socialization, authentic friendships, and meaningful daily rhythms come to life. Today, we are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to a resident who embodies this spirit with incredible elegance: Sandy. If you walk into our community on any given afternoon, you can’t miss Sandy. She is the epitome of grace and class—always perfectly put together, dressed to the nines, and looking incredibly sharp. But Sandy’s style isn't just about her fabulous outfits; it’s an extension of the vibrant energy and attention to detail she brings to every single corner of her life here. Puzzles, Bingo, and a Touch of Flair Sandy is a social butterfly who thrives during our community activities. While she loves the laughter and friendly competition of a lively afternoon Bingo game, her true passion lies in our puzzle corner. Watching Sandy tackle a puzzle is a lesson in sophistication. She approaches every jigsaw piece with the same stylish flare she uses to pick out her wardrobe. For Sandy, puzzles aren't just a pastime—merely a wonderful opportunity to chat, laugh, and connect with fellow residents over shared triumphs. Friendship with a Purpose At Bickford, The Higher Path emphasizes that everyone has a valuable contribution to make to our collective home. Sandy and her close friend have taken this to heart in the most beautiful, practical way. The duo has adopted our community courtyard as their special project. Often seen side-by-side, these two friends take immense pride in keeping the outdoor space completely tidy, organized, and perfectly in place. Whether they are straightening up patio furniture or sweeping away stray leaves, they transform an everyday chore into a joyful routine of companionship and community care. Because of them, our courtyard isn't just a place to sit—it’s a pristine oasis for everyone to enjoy. Sandy reminds us all that life on The Higher Path is brightest when we bring our unique strengths, a sense of pride in our home, and a little bit of glamour to everything we do. Thank you, Sandy, for keeping our community beautiful inside and out! #higherpath #bickfordseniorliving #assistedliving #marshalltown

Welcome to the season of crisp air, changing leaves, and cozy moments in Marshalltown, Iowa. At Bickford Senior Living of Marshalltown, autumn is a beautiful reminder of what it means to feel truly at home. Right now, our beautiful front porch is ready to welcome you. Imagine spending your crisp fall mornings wrapped in a warm blanket, sipping hot cider, and watching the autumn colors from the comfort of our rocking chairs. It is the perfect place to chat with neighbors, read a favorite book, or simply enjoy the peaceful afternoon breeze. We handle all the seasonal maintenance, leaf raking, and winter prep so you can focus entirely on enjoying your retirement. Our boutique community is designed to provide the highest quality of personalized care while maintaining the intimate, warm atmosphere of a loving family. Resident apartments for this season are filling quickly. We invite you to schedule a private tour today, experience our hospitality firsthand, and see why so many local families trust us with their loved ones. Come step onto our porch and discover your new home. Call our team today at 641-354-5996 to schedule your visit and secure your apartment. #BickfordSeniorLiving #MarshalltownIA #SeniorLiving #FallAtBickford #AssistedLiving #CozySeason #SeniorCare #RetirementCommunity #MarshalltownIowa

Are you ready for some football???!!!!!!! So, today at Bickford of Marshalltown, the oh so kind and caring Mr. Dean came with all of his jewelry making supplies, and todays theme was football! Our Residents chose to make Hawkeye and Iowa State football bracelets, and oh my did they turn out amazing!!! So amazing, they they took them and put them away for safe keeping!!! Gotta love 'em!!! Just look at those smiles!!