Setting the Table for Togetherness: Decorating for Thanksgiving Dinner at Bickford of West Des Moines As the leaves fall and the aroma of roasted turkey fills the air, our hearts turn to what truly makes Thanksgiving special: time spent with loved ones. At Bickford of West Des Moines, we embrace the spirit of the season by creating warm, inviting spaces that encourage togetherness and gratitude. Decorating for Thanksgiving dinner the residents and staff come together to set the scene for a festive feast. But the true magic comes from the people gathered around the table. This Thanksgiving, we celebrate the bonds we share—family, friends, and the joy of community. Whether reminiscing about past holidays, sharing laughter over a meal, or simply appreciating the present moment, we are reminded of the many blessings in our lives. From all of us at Bickford of West Des Moines, we wish you a happy and heartwarming Thanksgiving! May your day be filled with love, laughter, and gratitude.

Rachael’s Daycare visited today and brought some “hand” made Turkey cards for us! They sang a couple of songs and Rachael read a book about the first Thanksgiving. The kiddos were dressed as pilgrims and Indians , so cute! * Note this was yesterday*

Lots of fun going on at Bickford today! It’s Elmer’s 91st birthday! We celebrated with cake and a rounding rendition of Happy Birthday to you! Sang by the staff and fellow residents. We started some snow flakes to be finished when the paint dries. BFM V, aka Vonikqua, had her belly painted today. Baby Mia is due in less than 2 weeks and we are all excited to meet her!

It’s official! We’re proud to be named a Great Place to Work Certified company @GPTW_US #gptw

Betsy from the West Des Moines library came to visit us today. She brings great energy and positive vibes when she’s here. Today’s theme was Thanksgiving , of course!, as you can tell by the crazy hat she’s wearing! We sang songs, she told us a “draw and tell" story which was about a farmer who lost his turkey.

What a fun weekend, that carried over into Monday, we had at Bickford! Manicures, color art, UNO, Wheel of Fortune, and some card sorting! Whew busy on these rainy days for sure!

Playing Gin Rummy Sometimes at the end of the day a resident stops you and asks if you’ll play a card game with them. What do you do, you ask? Well of course you roll up your sleeves and get down to business strategizing how to win a few hands of Gin Rummy! Mr. John is the master player and Candy feels pretty lucky when she can win a few hands. It was a perfect way to unwind on this wet and dreary day. Thanks, John, you may have won this round, 5 to 4, but I’ll get you next time!

Honoring Our Veterans with a Special Breakfast at Hy-Vee Today, we had the privilege of honoring our veterans with a special outing to Hy-Vee for breakfast. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognize the service and sacrifices they made for our country. The atmosphere was warm and filled with gratitude as our veterans enjoyed a delicious meal, surrounded by friends and community members who appreciate their dedication. To add a personal touch to the celebration, we also presented each veteran with a “Thank You for Your Service” award. These awards were given to express our deep appreciation for their bravery and commitment. The smiles on their faces as they read the award were priceless, a small but meaningful way to show our thanks. It was truly a heartwarming morning, and we are grateful to Hy-Vee for hosting us and helping us celebrate these amazing individuals. It’s important to take the time to recognize the heroes among us, and today was a beautiful reminder of the strength and resilience of our veterans. Thank you to John, Herb, Frank B, Frank W, Tim, Doug, Donna, Richard, Cliff, Laverne, and our Happiness Coordinator, Candy, and to all who served!

Come FALL in love with Bickford of west Des Moines! Right now is a perfect time to get your loved one into our cozy community before the snow and holiday season! Call Brittany our family advocate to schedule your tour today! 515-400-3321