Today is Opening Day for baseball season, and we couldn’t have celebrated in a more special way! This week, we had an exciting surprise visit from Cubbie the Bear, all the way from Iowa’s very own Cubs team! He spent time with our residents signing baseballs, taking pictures, and even joining us for a fun sing-along. The smiles and laughter filled the room—it truly made for a memorable day! Moments like these remind us how important joy, connection, and a little hometown pride can be. We are so grateful for the experience and the memories made with our residents. We’re cheering on the Cubs and wishing them the best of luck in their opening game tonight—Go Cubs Go! #OpeningDay #GoCubsGo #SeniorLivingFun #MakingMemories #HigherPath #Bickford #WestDesMoines

Today’s sunshine had us feeling adventurous, so we took a scenic drive down to Indianola! While we were there, we treated ourselves to some delicious ice cream—because what better way to enjoy a beautiful day? The fresh air, warm sunshine, and sweet treats put smiles on everyone’s faces, and you could just feel the joy all around. To top off an already perfect day, we spent some relaxing time out on the patio back home, sipping on refreshing lemonade and soaking in the last bit of sunshine together. It was the perfect ending to a day full of laughter, connection, and fresh air. Sometimes it’s the simple outings that make the biggest impact, and today was definitely one of those days. We made the most of the weather and created some wonderful memories together! #HigherPath #Bickford #WestDesMoines #SeniorLiving #LifeEnrichment #MakingMemories #SunshineDays #OutingsMatter #CommunityLife #FreshAir #SimpleJoys #PatioVibes #IceCreamRun #HappyResidents

One thing we’re always passionate about is helping our residents stay safe, strong, and independent—and that’s where rehab plays such an important role. Did you know that just one week in a hospital bed or mostly lying down can equal up to three months of rehabilitation to regain that strength? It really puts into perspective how important it is to keep moving and stay proactive about our health. Today, we were so grateful to have Fox Rehab join us for our monthly seminar. They shared valuable insight on maintaining strength, preventing falls, and staying active—even during recovery. Education like this empowers our residents and gives peace of mind to families as well. Our goal is always to support our residents in living their best lives—keeping them safe, happy, and healthy every step of the way #HigherPath #Bickford #WestDesMoines #SeniorLiving #HealthyAging #RehabMatters #StayActive #StrongerTogether #FallPrevention

Getting out and staying connected to our community is so important for overall well-being—and today was the perfect example of that! We kicked off a brand new activity called Lunch Bunch, a once-a-month outing where our residents get to choose a local restaurant to enjoy together. Today, we headed to Applebee’s for some great food, lots of laughs, and even better company. Outings like these give our residents the opportunity to stay engaged, maintain independence, and continue doing the things they love. There’s something special about sharing a meal out in the community—it brings a sense of normalcy, joy, and connection that truly matters. We’re already looking forward to next month’s Lunch Bunch adventure! #LunchBunch #CommunityConnections #SeniorLiving #OutAndAbout #MakingMemories #HigherPath #Bickford #WestDesMoines

Another successful Baking Club in the books! Today we had so much fun getting a little festive in the kitchen making Lucky Charms Rice Krispie treats. The smiles (and a few extra marshmallows!) made it extra sweet. It’s always such a joy to see everyone come together, share laughs, and create something delicious. Moments like these are what make our days so special! #BakingClub #SeniorLivingFun #MakingMemories #LuckyCharms #SweetMoments #HigherPath #BickfordOfWestDesMoines

Individual activities are such an important part of what we do. Taking the time to truly know each resident—their interests, routines, and the little things that bring them joy—allows us to create meaningful moments every single day. Today, one of our residents spent time filling her bird feeder for one of the first times this year. A simple activity, but one that brings her so much happiness and something she’s been looking forward to as we welcome the signs of spring. It’s moments like these that remind us how important it is to support each person in doing what they love. #IndividualizedCare #SeniorLivingLife #HigherPath #MeaningfulMoments #SpringIsComing #ResidentJoy #BickfordOfWestDesMoines

We had a shamrockin’ good time celebrating St. Patrick’s Day today! Our residents enjoyed a festive afternoon filled with themed bingo, lots of laughs, and a special lunch featuring some fun (and tasty!) green juice. It was wonderful to see everyone getting into the spirit, sharing smiles, and making memories together. Lucky to spend days like this with such an amazing group! #StPatricksDay #SeniorLivingFun #HigherPath #MakingMemories #LuckyToBeHere #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #SeniorLife #CommunityJoy

Another wonderful day filled with fun and friendship! This morning we enjoyed a lively game of Farkle. There were lots of laughs, a little friendly competition, and a few lucky rolls of the dice! Afterward, we took a trip to Hy-Vee to do a little shopping and get out and about in the community. We wrapped up the afternoon with a sweet Happy Hour featuring everyone’s favorite — Girl Scout cookies! It was the perfect treat to enjoy together while visiting and relaxing. Days like today remind us that it’s the simple moments spent together that make our community so special. #SeniorLivingFun #ActivitiesMatter #MakingMemories #HappyHour #GirlScoutCookies #HigherPath #WestDesMoines #Bickford

Today we had a little St. Patrick’s Day fun in the kitchen! Our residents made Leprechaun Bait (also known as Chex Mix), and it was a big hit. There was plenty of mixing, laughing, and of course taste-testing along the way. Activities like this are such a great way to bring everyone together and enjoy some simple, festive fun. It’s safe to say our leprechauns won’t be going hungry anytime soon! #SeniorLiving #StPatricksDayFun #LeprechaunBait #ResidentActivities #MakingMemories #Bickford #HigherPath #WestDesMoines

Even though the weather started the day off a little crummy, we didn’t let that stop the fun inside! Today we played a classic favorite — noodle ball — and our residents loved every minute of it. We ended up playing for over an hour because everyone was having such a great time! It was also wonderful to see a few faces join us that we don’t always get to see at activities. Days like this remind us that a little fun and laughter can brighten even the gloomiest weather. We’re so grateful for these moments together! #SeniorLivingFun #ActivityLife #MakingMemories #HigherPath #Bickford #WestDesMoines