We got creative today with a pumpkin painting class! Our residents enjoyed some time expressing their creativity, letting their imaginations flow, and adding their own personal touch to some fall pumpkins. It was a fun way to spend time together, enjoy a little friendly creativity, and bring some extra fall spirit into our day! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter

Even if we’re a day late, we’re wishing our Executive Director Ayla the HAPPIEST of birthdays! We had a special celebration with everyone coming together to celebrate, complete with a wonderful spread prepared by our Kitchen Manager featuring chicken salad, taco dip, and, of course, cake! We sang “Happy Birthday” and enjoyed some great time together making the day extra special. We are so incredibly lucky to have her! No matter what the day brings, she always seems to have a smile on her face, and her radiant personality makes her such a joy to be around. She has a way of bringing warmth and positivity into any situation, and we are so grateful for everything she brings to our Bickford family! Help us wish her the happiest of birthdays! We hope this next year brings her as much happiness as she brings to those around her! #IowaSeniorLiving #BickfordSeniorLiving #BirthdayCelebration #LifeAtBickford

We made sucker spiders today to get ready for any trick-or-treaters who may stop by! These little spiders turned out SO cute, and there were lots of smiles all around! Everyone had fun watching them come to life as we added their little eyes. It’s amazing how one little detail can bring them all together! We’re ready for some Halloween fun! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #HalloweenFun

We are so lucky to celebrate two of our BLT (branch leadership team) members this week! Elizabeth the Health and Wellness Director has been with us for 18 years!! What an amazing asset she is to the West Des Moines Branch- her dedication is something to admire. Halle is celebrating 1 year as the Montessori Engagement Coordinator- her energy is infectious and she brings so much joy to our residents and those around her. We are so lucky to have you on the team Thank you both- we love you!

We enjoyed a beautiful country drive out to Saylorville Lake and Dam to take in all the gorgeous fall colors! The trees were showing off, and we even stopped to watch the water rushing out of the dam. It was so loud we could hear it right from the bus! It was a beautiful day to get out, enjoy the scenery, and take in a little bit of Iowa’s fall beauty. #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #FallColors #CountryDrive

At Bickford, we embrace Montessori-inspired practices that encourage purpose, connection, and meaningful engagement for our residents. Today was a wonderful example of that in action as SieJean had Mary Lou helping her throughout the day. Mary Lou took pride in lending a hand, and her smile said it all! Opportunities like these help our residents feel valued, empowered, and connected while doing things that bring them joy and a sense of purpose. It's moments like these that remind us that everyone has something meaningful to contribute, and at Bickford, we celebrate those contributions every day. #higherpath #bickfordwestdesmoines

We had a wonderful time visiting Center Grove Orchard this week! Our residents enjoyed touring the farm, exploring the store, and picking up some delicious apple cider donuts and apple butter to enjoy. It was a fun-filled outing with lots to see, explore, and enjoy together! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter

Our Baking Club filled the dining room with the most amazing smell today! We made banana bread muffins, and they turned out SO good! There’s just something special about baking together, enjoying a homemade treat, and making sweet memories along the way. Safe to say, our residents approved of today’s recipe! #BickfordOfWestDesMoines #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter #BakingClub

Today is Family History Day, and we spent some time putting our thoughts into words! Our residents wrote letters to family members, with some planning to send their letters and others choosing to keep them as a way to hold onto special thoughts and memories. It was a sweet activity that gave everyone a chance to reflect, share their feelings, and feel a little closer to the people they love. We enjoyed seeing everyone take part! #BickfordSeniorLiving #IowaSeniorLiving #ActivitiesMatter

Today was a wonderful day at Bickford Senior Living of West Des Moines as we successfully completed our annual flu clinic. The halls were filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared commitment to staying healthy throughout the season. Preventive care is one of the most powerful ways we can protect ourselves and those around us. By taking proactive steps like receiving a flu vaccine, our residents and team members are choosing wellness, safety, and peace of mind. At Bickford, we believe that prevention is living the higher path. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make today's clinic a success. Together, we're building a healthier community, one smile at a time. #higherpath #bickfordseniorliving