In our daily lives it can be the simple pleasures that bring a smile. Our favorite breakfast, the morning paper and fresh coffee, or our favorite game!

It’s Safari Day! Residents made a slithering sub sandwich and monkey bread on the Safari. There were Alligators and lions painted and crafted to make it fun. #bickfordbabes #bickfordsafari

Cranberry Juice Cranberry juice might not be as popular as orange or apple juice, but it’s a delicious beverage with many health benefits. Some people drink it to help prevent urinary tract infections, but cranberry juice also offers many other health benefits. Cranberry juice is a nutritious drink packed with antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals that support the immune system and overall health. Cranberry Juice Benefits: Cranberry juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, providing 26% of your suggested daily allowance in an 8-ounce serving. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells and DNA from damage caused by molecules called free radicals. This may lower your chances of developing diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and more. Your body uses vitamin C to build blood vessels, cartilage, muscles, and collagen. Getting enough of it supports faster healing after injuries. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron. An 8-ounce glass of cranberry juice has approximately 20% of the suggested daily allowance of vitamin E, which is essential for the health of your skin, blood vessels, and heart. Other potential health benefits of cranberry juice include: · Can help improve heart health · Anthocyanins are antioxidants that give cranberry juice its deep red color. They benefit heart health by stopping plaque from building up inside the arteries, which can lead to hardened arteries, heart attacks, or high blood pressure. Many studies have found that cranberry juice may lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reducing your chance of getting heart disease. · Can help keep the gut healthy · Antioxidants in cranberry juice, particularly A-type proanthocyanidins, help lower the amount of harmful bacteria living in your gut, protecting its lining from damage linked to an unhealthy diet. This can improve your digestion. · May help prevent ulcers A-type proanthocyanidins may also help stop the growth of a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which can attach to the stomach lining and cause ulcers. Some research suggests that drinking cranberry juice can be as effective as probiotics in stopping the growth of this bacteria. · May strengthen the immune system Vitamin C helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which is crucial for having a healthy immune system. When your cells are healthy, your body can better defend against infections. Researchers at the University of Florida found that cranberry juice reduced cold and flu symptoms. · May help prevent infections Cranberries have antioxidants known as A-type proanthocyanidins, which can stop bacteria from sticking to surfaces in the body. This includes the bacteria responsible for causing oral and stomach infections. Cranberry Juice and UTIs One of the most recognized health benefits of cranberry juice is its potential to prevent or treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), usually caused by E. coli bacteria. The A-type proanthocyanidins found in cranberry juice may stop bacteria from collecting on the walls of the bladder and urinary tract. But studies on whether cranberry juice can prevent UTIs have shown mixed results. A review in 2012, which analyzed 24 studies on cranberries for UTI prevention, found them to be less effective compared to earlier reviews from 2004 and 2008. However, a meta-analysis in 2021 that included an additional 23 trials showed that cranberry products did lessen the frequency of UTIs in people who were prone to getting them. The results vary so much because many of the studies did not specify the amount of active ingredient in the cranberry products, which could mean they were not potent enough to work. Since cranberry products are safe, they will not do any harm and could be worth trying if you struggle with UTIs. It is important to keep in mind that while cranberry juice may lessen your chances of getting a UTI, it cannot cure an active infection once it has started. Talk with your doctor if you think you may have a UTI. · Takeaways Cranberry juice is rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients that support a healthy immune system and heart health and may help with recurring urinary tract infections. When consumed in moderation, cranberry juice can be a good addition to a balanced diet. Be sure to choose unsweetened varieties to avoid drinking too much sugar. Cranberry pills can also offer a convenient way to benefit from cranberry nutrients. However, if you have a condition that could be affected by cranberry juice consumption, talk to your doctor before starting supplements. 7 health benefits of apple juice 1. Boosts immunity, Apple juice contains a significant quantity of vitamin C, which is essential to the body's immune system. Vitamin C enhances the immune system, acting as an antioxidant that protects against oxidative stress and inflammation. 2. Relieves constipation, Apples contain malic acid, which may aid digestion and enhance liver function. Apple juice, when combined with fiber and other stimulating minerals, may alleviate symptoms of constipation, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea. o Furthermore, it may contain sorbitol, which helps smoothen the digestive tract and eases stool passage. 3. Promotes heart health, The micronutrients in apple juice may help lower the levels of bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in the blood. However, extensive study is required to understand if it works or how it works. Lowering your cholesterol implies that your heart will be healthier because it will not have to work as hard to pump blood around your body. Reduced cholesterol levels may help with weight problems. 4. Prevents cancer, Apple juice can reduce the risk of some forms of cancer and alleviate some of its symptoms. Studies suggest that drinking apple juice or eating apples can reduce the risk of lung and colon cancer. Maintain a healthy weight and stay active to reap the benefits of regular exercise and maximize the beneficial effects of apple juice. Apple juice's high vitamin C concentration and polyphenols have antioxidant properties. 5. Improves skin health, Vitamin C helps heal wounds, clot the blood properly, and keep cells healthy and operating efficiently, including skin regeneration and repair. 6. Increases metabolism, Long-term studies may have linked apple juice consumption to reduced waistlines, levels of body fat, cholesterol, risk of diabetes, and blood pressure, which are the risk factors for metabolic syndrome. Thus, apple juice can improve metabolism and may even protect the heart. 7. Protects the brain as you age, Polyphenolic antioxidants in apple juice protect the brain from harm caused by unstable chemicals called free radicals. It prevents brain cell death. o It is used to treat neurological illnesses, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. #stayhydrated, #Seniorliving, #cranberryjuice, #Applejuice

We understand that paying for assisted living care can be difficult, we have a partnership with Second Act-Financial Solutions. Karen is directly connected to Bickford and it a great resource to review all finances and help maximize your dollars-all free of charge. Karen has been able to jump throw the hoops to get long term care insurance to kick in, access cash value on life insurance policies to help one from having to sell their home! You can check out their services here: https://secondact.com/bickford/ Karen's direct line is: 888-999-7372

Happy Tuesday! We had several things going on today. Some folks put our fall flowers into our bud vases, to welcome the season. Some gathered to chat with Chaplain Tony before lunch, always nice to have Tony here! Another group were busy baking for our afternoon snack. The cookies were delicious! Also our Beauty Shop was buzzing with activity as the ladies were ready for a beautiful style to sport! Looking lovely! Tuesday was wonderful!

It’s time to slime it up.. Beth has some help making slime and we aren’t that fond of the texture, to be honest. We had a good laugh. The laundry and lemon juice making kept is busy today, as we have to create some fun moments along the way. Newspaper races are the newest form of intra- company competition. Who’s next??

Today we prepared for a long awaited visit from our dearly loved beautician Danita. We made posters to welcome her for lunch. Danita recently suffered injuries from a bicycle accident. Danita is still recovering from the accident, but was able to come for a visit. Everyone was so happy to her! Danita joined us for lunch and a time to visit. We will continue to support our sweet Danita as she continues to recover. We are a Bickford Family!

As the happiness coordinator, I try to find happy moments for our residents. Each resident’s life song holds very personal impressions that last a life time. One special resident has kept her love of animals very close to her heart. She loves her dog, Lucy, so much that she has lived with Joan here at Bickford. We’ve grown to love her too! Today we made special dog treats for Lucy to enjoy. It was fun cutting out the treats and baking them, and Lucy loved them too! #HappinessMoments #Lucy #Dogtreats

We know how important staying active is. We schedule fitness groups daily to promote movement and maintain healthy mobility. We also want this to be a fun interactive activity. We break out the music and have a great time during these sessions!

Harold is on of our newest Veterans, thank you Harold for your service and dedication to our country! Did you know that if you are a Veteran or a Surviving Spouse of a Veteran you could be eligible for Aid & Attendance to help offset the cost of your care? We partner with Patriot Angels who are experts in the application process. Please contact Abbie, 712-301-8165, to set up a tour and learn more about how we can get your loved on the benefits they deserve!