Come out and join us in celebrating our staff for CNA week 6/16-6/20 and show them how much we appreciate them. They show up every day to care for your loved one, giving all, despite what personal struggles they may have each day. Join in the fun activities! #BickfordofRockford#

Thought you might be interested in reading: "How to Protect Your Elderly Parents’ Assets: 5 Key Steps" How to Protect Your Elderly Parents’ Assets: 5 Key Steps https://www.aplaceformom.com/caregiver-resources/articles/protecting-financial-assets Jacqueline Davidson

WHEN I GET DEMENTIA When I get dementia, I’d like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things PLEASE READ ALL 21 1a. EVERY TIME you enter the room announce yourself. “Hi Mom- it’s Margaret.” NEVER ask- Do you know who I am??? That causes anxiety. 1. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality. 2. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it. 3. If I get dementia, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you. 4. If I get dementia, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me. 5. If I get dementia, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself. 6. If I get dementia, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded. 7. If I get dementia, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am. 8. If I get dementia, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends. 9. If I get dementia, ask me to tell you a story from my past. 10. If I get dementia, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me. 11. If I get dementia, treat me the way that you would want to be treated. 12. If I get dementia, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need. 13. If I get dementia, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room. 14. If I get dementia, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live. 15. If I get dementia, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often. 16. If I get dementia, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault. 17. If I get dementia, make sure I always have my favorite music playing within earshot. 18. If I get dementia, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original place. 19. If I get dementia, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings. 20. If I get dementia, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes. 21. If I get dementia, remember that I am still the person you know and love.” In Honor of all those I know and love and lost who are fighting Dementia/Alzheimer’s.

Jess, can provide chronic care management services with Hansa Medical Group. She can be reached by email or cell phone Monday-Friday. She can help with communication, provide after-visit summaries, and be a direct resource to families regarding their loved one's care.

Our apology for the delay on getting these pictures to our Facebook late.

Accushield Verify Installation in our Branches Bickford Senior Living has partnered with Accushield, an innovative risk management system, to screen and credential outside healthcare providers, self-employed caregivers, and other vendors that provide services to our residents and Branches. Our mission at Bickford Senior Living is to continue to provide the safest environment possible for our residents and staff. The outside healthcare providers and other vendors who work with our residents and provide other services to our Branches are an essential part of the quality of life and community that we strive to maintain at Bickford Senior Living. However, given the fact that these healthcare providers and vendors operate without direct supervision from our staff, it is essential we consistently validate that they meet minimum standards to help ensure that they are in line with our safety and risk management requirements – and that we validate those standards each time they enter our Branches. Those minimum standards – a criminal background check, proper immunizations, appropriate insurance, applicable liability waivers, sufficient training, employment verification – are reasonable for any community, and particularly for a senior living community (similar standards have been in place in preschools and other vulnerable environments for many years). Accushield has had a credentialing and risk management kiosk at the front of our Branches for some time. All healthcare providers, private sitters, self-employed caregivers, and other vendors that are providing a service must sign-in and sign-out at the kiosk each time they enter and exit our Branches. Each time a healthcare provider, private sitter, self-employed caregiver, or vendor signs in, the Accushield kiosk verifies that Bickford Senior Living has the information necessary to determine if the providers and vendors meet the minimum credentials that we require to have access to our residents, their living spaces, and our Branches. The kiosk is easy to use and takes the place of any sign-in book. Visitors, such as family members, are not credentialed and there is no charge for their use of the Accushield kiosk. The Visitor sign-in is simply a means to make sure we understand who is in our Branches at all times to ensure the highest safety and security for your loved ones. We ask for your support in credentialing enforcement through our partnership with Accushield. There is no more important responsibility than maintaining the safest possible environment for our residents, the families that visit them, and the staff that serve them. With that as our mission, we have asked our outside healthcare providers and vendors, along with any self-employed or private sitters that you employ, to work with us to ensure that they have done their part to create a safe and transparent community. Please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Bickford Senior Living

Emotional Wellness Tips for Seniors May 30, 2025 Emotional Wellness Tips for Seniors Feeling happy and fulfilled is important at every stage of life. But as we grow older, life brings changes, some exciting and others challenging, which affects our emotional health. If left unattended, it can have a drastic impact on our mental and physical well-being. According to research, stress is a leading cause of depression and anxiety in more than half of older adults. But with small daily habits, you can make a big difference in your emotional state and feel more connected, engaged, and at peace. Maintaining social connections, engaging in hobbies, practicing mindfulness, and staying physically active can significantly improve our emotional health. Stay Socially Connected Strong relationships are the foundation of emotional well-being; maintaining social connections is essential for seniors. Staying engaged with family, friends; community can prevent loneliness, enhance happiness, and provide a sense of belonging. According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation can increase the risk of premature death by 50%, making it as harmful as smoking and obesity. At Bickford Senior Living Rockford, we understand how important emotional wellness is to our seniors. Come and join us for our many activities coming up in the next few weeks. Our Family is your Family! #BickfordofRockford#