Staying Active, Staying Strong! Here at Bickford of Urbandale, we’re kicking off the day with energy and enthusiasm by continuing our fitness resolutions! This morning’s exercise session was a blast, and it’s been heartwarming to see new friends joining in on the fun. Daily exercise classes in assisted living and memory care aren’t just about staying physically active—they’re about building community, improving mood, boosting overall health, and enhancing cognitive function. It’s a wonderful way for our residents to start their day feeling strong, engaged, and connected! We’re so proud of everyone who joined us today. Let’s keep moving together and making memories!

Had an absolutely fantastic time in Mary B's neighborhood! We kicked off with a heartwarming devotional and then dove into some fun puzzle-solving together! Activities like these aren't just fun—they're so beneficial for memory care, too. Puzzles help improve cognitive function, strengthen problem-solving skills, and promote social interaction, all while keeping our minds engaged and active. We’re so grateful for these moments that bring joy, connection, and brain-boosting fun to our amazing community! #MemoryCare #CognitiveWellness #FunAndEngagement

Happy Hour at Bickford of Urbandale! What an AMAZING time we had at our weekly Happy Hour today! Our friends enjoyed a fun-filled game of Baby Boomers Trivia, sipping on refreshing beverages, and munching on delicious Dots pretzels. As the Happiness Coordinator here at Bickford, I can truly say this weekly event is one of the highlights of our week. Not only is it a great way to unwind and have some laughs, but it also helps foster social connections, boosts cognitive function, and enhances overall well-being for our amazing friends. A huge shoutout to everyone who joined us! We can’t wait for next week—this is the perfect time to relax, recharge, and truly enjoy life! See you Friday at 3pm for more fun, laughter, and community spirit! #BickfordOfUrbandale #HappyHour #SeniorLiving #CommunityFun #EngagedLiving #CheersToLife

A Journey of Love and Healing at Bickford of Urbandale At Bickford of Urbandale, a resident’s recovery story highlights the power of love, family, and dedicated caregiving. This resident’s health had declined, but with the support of Higher Path Therapy Engagement and the unwavering commitment of their family, a remarkable transformation began. The Power of Family and Care The resident’s family played an active role in the healing process, offering constant support and encouragement. Together with Bickford's caring team, they created a nurturing environment that was crucial to the resident’s recovery. The team used personalized therapeutic activities to engage the resident emotionally and mentally, helping them reconnect with their inner strength. Keeping Active and Socializing A key part of the resident’s recovery was staying active and involved. Activities like the Men’s Club provided opportunities for socialization, fostering connections that enhanced well-being. By embracing the motto "keep moving on," the resident rediscovered joy and purpose in life. A New Beginning Today, the resident is thriving, thanks to the combined efforts of family, caregivers, and engaging activities. The healing journey is a reminder that recovery is about love, connection, and living life to the fullest, healthy and happy. At Bickford of Urbandale, healing is personalized and filled with the promise of new beginnings.

What a fantastic week we’ve had here at Bickford of Urbandale! As the Happiness Coordinator, it’s always a joy to see our friends enjoying everything from group exercise to a lively game of Bingo. The energy and laughter are contagious! In our Bickford Bakers class, we whipped up some delicious butterscotch-covered pretzels that were a hit with everyone. Sweet treats and great company – what could be better? Our Happy Hours were filled with good conversations, laughter, and camaraderie. It's moments like these that remind me how lucky we are to have such a close-knit, family-like community here at Bickford. Whether we’re playing games, creating something special, or just sharing a quiet moment, the bonds we form are truly what make this place so special. I’m grateful to be part of a community where everyone feels supported, loved, and connected. Here’s to many more memories and moments together! #FamilyLikeCommunity #BickfordofUrbandale #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #CommunityStrong #MakingMemories #BingoFun #BickfordBakers #HappyHourFun

We’re beyond thrilled here at Bickford of Urbandale to have live entertainment brightening our day! Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming back the incredibly talented Gary, who graced us with his piano skills once again. A fun little backstory about Gary—he’s been playing by ear since he was just 10 years old! No sheet music needed, he’s a true musical genius who can play just about anything. Today, he even honored our dear friend Maryl’s special request and played a lively polka! It’s moments like these that truly make our day unforgettable. Thank you, Gary, for sharing your incredible gift with us! #LiveMusic #PianoMagic #BickfordofUrbandale #MakingMemories

What a fantastic year it has been for our exercise program! We've seen it grow in strength, enthusiasm, and participation—and we couldn’t be more proud of our amazing friends! It’s truly inspiring to witness the dedication and energy everyone brings each day, and we’re thrilled to see the positive impact it’s having on both minds and bodies. Exercise is so much more than just staying active—it boosts mood, strengthens muscles, improves balance, and helps keep our hearts healthy. And, the benefits don’t stop there! It’s also a wonderful way to stay social, reduce stress, and keep our brains sharp. Looking ahead, we’re setting exciting new goals for 2025! To continue building on our momentum, we’ll be extending our exercise time by 5-10 minutes each morning! We’re ready to challenge ourselves even more and keep pushing toward new heights—together, we can do it! Here’s to another year of growing stronger, feeling better, and having fun every step of the way! #BickfordOfUrbandale #ExerciseGoals #SeniorWellness #StrongerEveryDay #KeepMoving #HealthyLiving

A Big Shoutout to Our Growing Bickford Family! At Bickford of Urbandale, we’re so lucky to be surrounded by friends who bring a special spark to every day. We’ve been seeing some wonderful changes lately, and we just have to share them with all of you! Mary, who’s usually a bit more on the quiet side, has been joining us for morning exercises and even staying for our entertainer visits. This last Tuesday, she and her friend Carl shared in the fun of eggnog cookies and Christmas stories, how sweet is that? And then there’s Art… who surprised us all by joining in on our Bingo session this afternoon! No, I didn’t bribe him with candy prizes (or did I?). Special thank you to Brenda and Sanja for showing him how its done. But seriously, it’s just amazing to see our friends coming together more and more. We’re truly grateful to be a part of such a loving, vibrant community where everyone feels welcomed, whether they’re joining activities for the first time or rediscovering old favorites. Thank you to each and every one of you for helping make Bickford of Urbandale feel like home. Let’s keep the fun and smiles rolling! #BickfordFamily #CommunitySpirit #NewMemories #UrbandaleLiving #MoreThanJustActivities

What a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve here at Bickford of Urbandale! Our Eggnog Cookies and Christmas Stories celebration was filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful moments. We shared stories of giving to those in need, teaching lessons of kindness, and even military tales from the past. Of course, I had my own mishap with the eggnog (let’s just say I ended up buying some instead!), but it only added to the fun and laughter. Thank you to everyone who joined in to make this holiday celebration so special. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a season filled with warmth and joy! #BickfordOfUrbandale #ChristmasEveCelebration #EggnogAndCookies #HolidayJoy #MemoriesMade #SeasonOfGiving

Today, our friends in MaryB’s Neighborhood had a blast playing with Play-Doh! Not only is it a fun activity, but it’s also a wonderful way to engage the mind. Working with Play-Doh helps stimulate memory, improves hand-eye coordination, and encourages creativity. It’s amazing how shaping and molding the soft dough can spark memories and help improve focus. We love seeing our friends connect, create, and enjoy these meaningful moments together! #MaryBsNeighborhood #CreativeMinds #FunAndMemory #EngageTheMind #ActiveLiving #SeniorWellness