The Higher Path to Healthy Living at Bickford Senior Living At Bickford Senior Living, we believe that wellness is not just about scheduled activities—it is about creating opportunities for residents to take an active role in their own health and happiness. Through The Higher Path, our philosophy of whole-person wellness, residents are encouraged to stay physically active, mentally engaged, and socially connected every day. One of the most effective ways we accomplish this is through self-led resident activities and daily exercise opportunities. When residents take ownership of their wellness journey, they gain a greater sense of purpose, independence, and confidence. Recently, residents gathered in our community for a self-led exercise session that demonstrated the power of movement at every age. From seated stretches and arm exercises to gentle range-of-motion activities, residents actively participated at their own comfort level. Whether exercising from a favorite chair, a sofa, or a wheelchair, everyone was able to join in and experience the benefits of staying active. The Higher Path isn't just about exercise—it's about empowering residents to make healthy choices and support one another. Residents often encourage friends to participate, share wellness tips, and motivate each other to keep moving. These meaningful interactions help strengthen both physical health and social connections. Research shows that regular movement can help support strength, flexibility, balance, and cognitive health. Combined with social engagement and purposeful activities, exercise becomes a powerful tool for maintaining independence and improving quality of life. At Bickford Senior Living, we are proud to see our residents embrace The Higher Path every day. Their commitment to staying active, involved, and connected creates a vibrant community where wellness thrives. The smiles, participation, and enthusiasm displayed during resident-led activities remind us that healthy aging is not about slowing down—it's about finding new ways to continue growing, learning, and living with purpose. Through The Higher Path, Bickford residents are proving that staying sharp, staying active, and staying connected are all part of living life to the fullest. #higherpath #bickfordseniorliving

Yesterday was National Grandparents Day, and we celebrated with some very special visitors! Our goats came to visit, and there were SO many smiles and laughs all around! The goats even started talking to each other, which had everyone cracking up. There’s just something about a little animal visit that brings so much joy! We loved seeing our residents enjoy such a fun and memorable afternoon. #NationalGrandparentsDay #Activities #ActivitiesMatter #IowaSeniorLiving

We had such a great time drumming together today! Everyone grabbed their sticks, got their arms moving, and fell right into the rhythm. It was fun, energizing, and a perfect way to connect with our neighbors and friends. #Bickfordseniorlivingofwestdesmoines #Bickford #Higherpath

Nothing beats the smell of fresh-baked muffins! Today we made banana nut muffins, and boy, were they GOOD! Our residents had fun baking together, and of course, the best part was getting to enjoy the delicious results! A little baking, a lot of laughs, and some very happy taste testers! #Activities #ActivitiesMatter #IowaSeniorLiving

At Bickford, we're so proud of Beverly and the hard work she has been putting in with FOX Rehab. Through dedication and determination, Beverly has been working toward becoming stronger, more independent, and pain free so she can continue doing the things she loves. One of the best parts of therapy is that it doesn't just happen during scheduled sessions. During our Baking Club, Beverly is putting those skills into action by whisking, mixing, and staying actively engaged. These meaningful activities help build strength, coordination, and confidence while creating delicious treats and wonderful memories. We love seeing Beverly's progress and are grateful to the FOX Rehab team for helping residents reach their goals through personalized therapy that fits seamlessly into everyday life. Way to go, Beverly! Your hard work is inspiring us all. #HigherPath #BickfordWestDesMoines #FOXRehab #TherapyInAction #ResidentSuccess #BakingClub #StrongerEveryDay

Betsy from the library came to visit! We spent our time talking ALL about cars — definitely a topic our residents had plenty to say about! She even sang a few songs for us, because of course we couldn’t let her leave without a little music. She really is the best and always brings such a fun energy with her visits! We love having her come spend time with us. #Activities #ActivitiesMatter #IowaSeniorLiving

Happy Labor Day from Bickford of West Des Moines! Today was extra special because we got to celebrate one of our wonderful residents on her 97th birthday — on 9/7! Talk about a birthday date that’s hard to forget! We hope her day was filled with lots of smiles, laughter, and plenty of birthday love. And of course, the gentlemen had their Men’s Club today! We had plenty of laughs, good conversation, and all the usual Men’s Club fun. You never quite know what these guys are going to get into! We love making the most of every day together — celebrating our residents, making memories, and enjoying the little moments that make life special. Happy 97th birthday to our birthday girl, and Happy Labor Day to everyone! #Bickford #WestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #Activities #ActivitiesMatter

Farkle Friday! Every Friday morning, we gather around the table for one of our favorite traditions — Farkle with my grandma! There’s always good music playing, lots of laughs, resident collaboration , and jokes flying around the table. And of course, we’re always blaming the Farkle Gods when those dice just don’t want to cooperate! It’s never just about the game — it’s about the friendships, the laughter, the stories, and starting our Friday with a whole lot of fun. You never know who’s going to win, who’s going to Farkle, or who’s going to need to have a serious talk with the Farkle Gods! Friday Farkle is definitely one of my favorite mornings! #Farkle #FridayFun #ActivitiesMatter #IowaSeniorLiving #BickfordofWestDesMoines

Ladies Club was FULL today! Today we made the cutest pipe cleaner flowers, but honestly, the flowers weren’t even the best part. We had our biggest turnout yet at Ladies Club, with new faces joining us, residents making new friends, and everyone sitting around the table laughing, chatting, creating, and just enjoying being together. These are the moments that make activities so special. It’s not always about what we’re making—it’s about the friendships, the conversations, and creating a place where everyone feels like they belong. So happy to see our Ladies Club growing and becoming something our residents genuinely look forward to! More flowers, more friends, more memories. #Bickford #WestDesMoines #Activities #ActivitiesMatter #IowaSeniorLiving

A Special Thank You! We want to send a HUGE thank you to the West Des Moines Public Library and the Des Moines Quilt Guild for thinking of our residents and sharing your beautiful work with us! The Des Moines Quilt Guild generously created and donated beautiful quilts, pillowcases, and busy blankets, which the West Des Moines Public Library then donated to our residents. Our residents truly enjoy looking at all the beautiful details and admiring the time, creativity, and love that went into each and every piece. It’s so special to be able to see the craftsmanship up close and know that these were made specifically to bring joy to others. Thank you both for your kindness and generosity! We are so grateful for our wonderful community partners! @WestDesMoinesPublicLibrary @DesMoinesQuiltGuild #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #CommunityPartners #ThankYou