A Moment of Friendship and Faith: Barb & Barb at Bickford of Urbandale At Bickford of Urbandale, it's the everyday moments that often hold the most meaning. Recently, we had the joy of witnessing something truly beautiful between two dear friends—both named Barb. One afternoon, the two Barbs were enjoying some quiet time together when one of them felt inspired to share something close to her heart: her Bible. With care and sincerity, she opened the well-loved book and began reading some of her favorite passages aloud. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t rehearsed—it was simply an honest expression of friendship and faith. The atmosphere in the room shifted. A calm, peaceful energy settled over the group as others gathered around to listen. Smiles were exchanged, nods of understanding passed between friends, and a comforting sense of community filled the air. These are the kinds of moments that make Bickford feel like home. It's not just about the care we provide—it's about the connections we nurture, the memories we create, and the spirit we share. To Barb and Barb: thank you for reminding us how powerful a simple act of sharing can be.

Celebrating Nurses Week with Our Amazing Referral Partners! This Nurses Week, we had the honor of hosting a special appreciation event for our incredible referral partners Wesley on Grand, who go above and beyond every day to connect seniors with the care they need. Thank you to the nurses and care coordinators at Wesley on Grand for continuing to assist seniors in finding a safe environment to call home. Your dedication doesn't go unnoticed—we’re so grateful for your continued partnership and commitment to compassionate care. #NursesWeek2025 #ThankYouNurses #ReferralPartnerAppreciation #SeniorCareHeroes #AssistedLivingCommunity

Celebrating Nurses Week at Bickford of Urbandale: Honoring Our Heartfelt Heroes At Bickford of Urbandale, Nurses Week is more than just a date on the calendar—it's a time to recognize and celebrate the compassionate professionals who keep our branch family strong and thriving. This week, we proudly honor our outstanding nursing team: Jenny, Kathy, and our future nurse, Patricia and our retired nurse Altha. Jenny and Kathy: The Backbone of Our Branch Jenny and Kathy bring skill, kindness, and dedication to every shift. Whether it's managing care plans, comforting a resident, or mentoring other team members, they lead with their hearts. Their commitment to excellence and genuine compassion embody everything we strive for at Bickford. Patricia: A Nurse in the Making Patricia is well on her way to joining the ranks of these incredible professionals. Balancing school and work is no easy task, but Patricia does it with determination and grace. Her dedication to learning and growing is inspiring, and we can’t wait to cheer her on as she crosses the finish line. Altha Retired Nurse We’re honored to celebrate one of our incredible residents, a retired nurse whose lifelong dedication to caring for others continues to inspire us every day. It’s our privilege to now care for someone who spent her career caring for so many. Thank you for your service, compassion, and the lasting impact you’ve made—your legacy lives on in all of us. Thank You, Team To Jenny, Kathy, and Patricia and Altha—we see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you. Your efforts don’t go unnoticed, and your impact is felt every day by our residents, their families, and our entire team. Happy Nurses Week!

Pampering and Laughter at Bickford of Urbandale At Bickford of Urbandale, we believe that a little pampering goes a long way—and today’s pedicure session proved just that! Every other Monday, our ladies look forward to this special self-care tradition: soaking our feet, enjoying a relaxing massage, and most importantly, sharing good conversation and laughter. This week’s gathering was extra special. Our dear friend Linda brought along her husband, and what a delightful addition he was! The room was filled with joy, gentle chatter, and the sound of laughter as we all enjoyed each other’s company. It’s these small moments—connecting, sharing stories, and simply enjoying life together—that make our Bickford family so special. We’re already looking forward to the next pedicure day. Here’s to friendship, relaxation, and making beautiful memories—one foot soak at a time.

A Happy Hour to Remember with David Watson and Ole Blue At Bickford of Urbandale, we believe in creating joyful moments and meaningful connections—and our recent Happy Hour was a perfect example! We were so excited to welcome back our good friend David Watson for another toe-tapping, heartwarming performance. With his guitar "Ole Blue" in hand, David filled our home with all the familiar tunes we love. From classic favorites to sing-along staples, he brought energy, laughter, and a whole lot of fun to the room. Our friends were all smiles as they clapped, sang along, and enjoyed the music. David always brings such a special spirit with him, and it's clear how much he means to our Bickford family. We’re already looking forward to his next visit. Until then, we’ll keep the music in our hearts and the memories close.

Bingo Fun and Friendly Faces at Bickford of Urbandale! There’s never a dull moment at Bickford of Urbandale—and today was no exception! We had an absolute blast at our Bingo game, filled with laughter, cheers, and a whole lot of friendly competition. Bingo is more than just a game here—it's a chance to connect, share smiles, and celebrate little victories. Join us every Monday and Thursday at 2 PM for our twice-weekly Bingo sessions! Whether you're a seasoned Bingo pro or just love the thrill of yelling “BINGO!”, everyone’s welcome to join in the fun. We’re currently accepting donations for our Bingo prize stash—fun-size candy bars are always a hit with our winners! Want to help out in another way? We'd love to welcome you to our community—come call out the numbers, cheer on our players, or just hang out and make new friends. Come on by and be a part of the fun at Bickford of Urbandale—where there's always room at the table for one more!

Today at Bickford of Urbandale, we joined the fun of Viral Video Day by creating our very own TikTok! We partnered up with Stephanie from Fox Therapy. We had a blast laughing, and celebrating the joy of being together and being retired. It was a wonderful way to connect with each other and share a little bit of our Bickford spirit with the world! Later in the afternoon, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and got our hands dirty planting our veggie and herb garden. This year, we welcomed a new friend, Jean, who brought fresh energy and enthusiasm to our gardening crew. We can’t wait to watch our garden grow and enjoy the delicious results in meals and activities all summer long!

At Bickford of Urbandale, every day is full of joy, connection, and unforgettable moments! This morning, our hearts were singing along to classic favorites during our lively sing-a-long. We even looked up our favorite YouTube performer, Suzie Q, and had the best time belting out timeless tunes together. There’s something truly special about the way music brings us all closer—it’s like a big family jam session every time! The fun didn’t stop there—this afternoon’s Bingo session was a blast! With plenty of laughs, a little friendly competition, and delicious snacks, it was the perfect way to spend the day. Our good friend Jonny came through again with a box of Cheez-Its for everyone, and we sipped on refreshing Shasta lemon-lime soda and root beer while the numbers rolled in. At Bickford, every day is another opportunity to make memories, share smiles, and enjoy life to the fullest!

This morning at Bickford of Urbandale, our friends started the day off right with a gentle exercise session followed by reading the morning newspaper together. Staying active not only boosts mobility and balance, but it also enhances mood and mental clarity, making it a perfect way to energize the day. Sharing the news fosters engaging conversations and keeps everyone connected to the world around them, which is so important for cognitive health and emotional well-being. After our morning routine, our friends enjoyed a relaxing foot soak and a light massage, promoting circulation, easing tension, and creating a true spa-like experience. These simple yet meaningful moments are part of what makes life at Bickford so enriching. Want to see it for yourself? Come tour with Taylor! Give her a call at 515-419-8872—we’d love to show you around and share the Bickford difference.

We had a joyful Easter celebration this afternoon at Bickford of Urbandale! Our hearts were warmed by a special visit from the Easter Bunny and a few other cheerful guests. Our friends enjoyed colorful Easter eggs generously provided by Stephanie from Heartland Hospice, along with delicious cookies lovingly shared by Sheena, our Happiness Coordinator. The smiles and laughter were a beautiful reminder of the spirit of togetherness this season brings. As the day continued, we gathered for a peaceful and uplifting service led by Greg, our Chaplain. His words offered reflection and hope, and we were especially moved by the beautiful piano music from our dear friend Carolynn. Together, we lifted our voices in some of our favorite Easter hymns, filling the room with music and meaning. From all of us at Bickford of Urbandale, we wish you a joyful and blessed Easter, filled with love, renewal, and peace.