Today we had a crafting with friends afternoon. The ladies from the Siouxland Center for Active Generations joined us with an early start on Christmas crafts! We had a wonderful afternoon!

Enhancing Quality of Life: How Our Dementia Programming Supports Residents Every Day At our community, Bickford of Sioux City, we believe that every person living with dementia deserves not only compassionate care but also meaningful engagement, joy, and dignity. Our specialized Dementia Programming is thoughtfully designed to provide just that. Through a variety of supportive tools and services—including the Lifesong Document, Baskets/Stations, caregiver training, and more—we create enriching experiences that meet residents where they are and celebrate who they are. Lifesong Document: Capturing the Story That Matters Most Every resident comes to us with a rich history, full of unique experiences, values, and preferences. The Lifesong Document is our personalized biography tool, helping us gather essential life details from residents and their families. This document becomes a foundation for personalized care, guiding everything from conversation topics to activity planning and daily routines. When caregivers know a resident’s favorite song, past occupation, or cherished memory, they can build deeper, more meaningful connections. Lifesong Baskets and Stations: Purposeful Engagement The Lifesong Baskets and Stations are tactile, themed activity sets designed to spark memories, encourage movement, and reduce anxiety. Whether it's a basket filled with gardening tools for a former horticulturist or a station set up with baby dolls for a retired mother or caregiver, these stations tap into long-term memory and foster a sense of purpose and familiarity. Residents are often seen smiling, reminiscing, and engaging more fully when surrounded by items that resonate with their identity. Caregiver Training: Empowering Compassionate Support Exceptional care begins with educated, empathetic caregivers. Our robust Caregiver Training ensures that every staff member understands the complexities of dementia—from the medical aspects to the emotional and behavioral challenges. We equip our team with practical tools to communicate effectively, reduce distress, and engage residents in ways that promote comfort and trust. When caregivers feel confident, residents feel secure. Dementia Support Groups: Building a Network of Understanding Caring for someone with dementia is a journey, and no one should have to walk it alone. Our Dementia Support Groups provide a safe, welcoming space for family members to share experiences, ask questions, and gain encouragement from others who understand. These groups also help families feel more connected to their loved ones' care and provide insight into what to expect as the condition progresses. Moments of Happiness: Finding Joy in the Everyday Our Moments of Happiness initiative focuses on discovering and celebrating small moments that bring joy. Whether it’s listening to a favorite song, participating in a craft, enjoying a pet therapy visit, or simply sharing a laugh, these intentional moments boost emotional well-being and often linger in residents’ memories longer than we expect. We know that joy is possible—every day, in every stage of dementia. Companion Care: Meaningful Human Connection Isolation can be one of the greatest challenges for those living with dementia. Our Companion Care program provides one-on-one social engagement tailored to individual needs and preferences. Companions spend time reading, taking walks, doing puzzles, or simply being present—offering consistency, comfort, and companionship that make a significant difference in the resident’s emotional health. A Holistic Approach to Dementia Care Together, these elements of our Dementia Programming create a supportive, person-centered approach to care. We don’t just focus on the diagnosis—we focus on the person. By honoring each resident’s history, fostering joy and connection, and supporting caregivers along the way, we make sure every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. If you’d like to learn more about how our dementia programs can benefit your loved one, we invite you to visit our community or contact us today, @ 712-301-8165. #bickfordofsiouxcity #assistedliving #memorycare

We are thrilled to announce that Bickford of Sioux City has been honored with the AHCA/NCAL Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, a national recognition grounded in the Baldrige Performance Excellence framework. The Baldrige Award is the nation’s highest standard for organizational excellence. It looks at how well an organization leads, plans for the future, supports its team, engages with those it serves, and achieves results. This means our recognition is based on a rigorous review of the quality of care and services we provide. Here’s what this recognition means for Bickford, our residents, families, and team: • It validates the hard work of our team — from caregivers to administration — in maintaining high standards of care and service. • It ensures that our residents and their families can trust that we are operating with rigorous accountability and a data-driven approach to improvement. • It highlights our ongoing commitment to creating a supportive, enriching environment where residents can truly thrive. To our entire team of BFMs: this honor belongs to you. Your dedication, compassion, and willingness to adapt and grow are what make Bickford not just a place of care, but a place of excellence. Together, we will keep raising the bar. Thank you to our residents, families, and community partners — and congratulations to everyone at Bickford of Sioux City for reaching this milestone. #BickfordSeniorLiving

Well we had many things going on lately! We had coffee with a cop Officer Brandon Wood and we returned to our next sewing project with Robin Hall. The sewing circle is making walker bags.

Delores originally came to Bickford for a short-term stay. After returning home for a bit, it wasn’t long before she chose to come back. With the support of our Higher Path program, she regained her strength and returned to her baseline. Although Delores expressed a desire to go back to her farm, her family saw how much she was thriving here—enjoying three nutritious meals a day, meaningful social connections, and the safety of around-the-clock care, all things she didn’t have at home. Delores has a passion for sewing and loves feeling helpful. Her family brought her sewing machine and supplies to Bickford, and now she’s happily staying busy mending clothing for our BFM team’s children. It’s been a wonderful way for her to feel at home—and needed—right here with us. Leaving home doesn't mean leaving behind what you love, bring it with you! If you are interested in learning more please call Abbie to book at tour! 712-301-8165

Pet therapy is important because it brings comfort, companionship, and joy into people’s lives, especially for the elderly. Animals can reduce feelings of loneliness, ease anxiety, and even lower blood pressure through their calming presence. For seniors, who may struggle with isolation or loss, spending time with a therapy pet can spark memories, encourage social interaction, and provide a sense of purpose and unconditional love. This special bond can greatly improve emotional well-being and overall quality of life. Bickford offers this as an avenue to keep residents on the Higher Path Health Model.

Today we were busy delivering cookies on National Home Made Cookie Day! We were glad to see all the smiles this created!

This particular community partner helps brighten our lives daily. It is so nice to eat a meal in our dining room (which we named The Breadbasket) while looking at these flower arrangements. These are repurposed flowers made into creative bouquets. Sharing meals helps reduce loneliness, fosters friendships and creates daily moments of joy.

Delores is on the lookout for a new neighbor — and we’ve got just the spot! We currently have an apartment open and Delores would love to have someone next door to chat with, share stories, and maybe even swap a few recipes. Bonus points if you:

Our Cooking Club loves to keep busy and enjoys preparing delicious dishes. We also love visitors that bring smiles! Roxanne visited us from the Humane Society. Roxanne was very popular as she made her way around the branch!