Bickford of Aurora

09/10/2025

Whether it’s sharing stories, dancing to oldies, or exploring new hobbies, our residents remind us every day that adventure has no age limit. 🧡 This National Assisted Living Week, we celebrate their vibrant spirits and love for life.

09/09/2025

We couldn’t do it without them—our dedicated caregivers are the heart of Bickford. 💙 During National Assisted Living Week, we recognize and thank every team member who brings warmth, compassion, and joy to our residents every day.

09/08/2025

🎉 Ageless Adventure – Celebrating Senior Living 🧭

This week, we’re joining the celebration of National Assisted Living Week and its inspiring theme: “Ageless Adventure.” Because no matter your age, the spirit of adventure never fades!

At our senior living communities, we’re more than just a place to live—we’re a family. Caregivers, residents, loved ones, and neighbors come together to create moments of joy, connection, and purpose.

Our BFMs are proud to honor the incredible individuals who live and work in assisted living, and we’re celebrating all week long with meaningful moments and memory-making adventures. 💙

Adventure has no age limit—let’s celebrate that together!

09/05/2025

💭 “Will my loved one be treated like family?”
It’s a question we hear often—and one we never take lightly.

That’s why, every month, we reach out to families with a simple check-in. One question. One honest answer. One more way to make sure we’re living up to the trust they’ve placed in us.

Their feedback shapes us. It helps us grow, improve, and stay grounded in what matters most: delivering care rooted in compassion, dignity, and love.

💖 Here’s what families shared with us this month:

09/04/2025

🌟 Caregiver Ring of Honor: Carma Harris 🌟

With 20+ years of experience, Carma Harris brings wisdom, empathy, and leadership to her role as Divisional Director of Health & Wellness. From coaching teams through tough moments to building trust with families, Carma leads with heart.

Her message: empower residents, communicate proactively, and always ask them what matters.

Carma’s dedication earns her a proud place in our Caregiver Ring of Honor. 💙

👉 Click to read more about Carma’s story: https://bickfordseniorliving.com/advice/caregiver-ring-of-honor-carma-harris/

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09/04/2025

For years, Bickford Senior Living has transformed the senior healthcare sector through innovation and purpose-driven leadership.

Beginning in 2017, Bickford partnered with Stagen to clarify their values, create news strategies to secure their future, and develop leaders at every level of the organization.

Seven years later, Bickford has had a $45 million boost in enterprise value in just 5 of their 60 locations and has grown their operating margins in a time of industry uncertainty.

Bickford continues to lead the way in the senior living industry - all while improving the quality of life for seniors and investing in their employees. Our partnership with Bickford demonstrates what’s possible when leadership development is embedded at every level of an organization.

Click here to read more:

Discover how Bickford Senior Living achieved a $3.5 million increase in EBITDA and a $45 million boost in enterprise value through purpose-driven leadership. With Stagen's guidance, they transformed their strategy and culture, revolutionizing the senior living industry. Learn how your organization c...

09/03/2025

🚫 The status quo isn’t good enough.
✅ Seniors deserve better.

That’s why we created HigherPath—our proprietary senior health model designed to help residents live happier, healthier, longer.

Here’s how we get there:

🔹 On-Site Primary Care
24/7 access to a physician-led care team, right in the branch.

🔹 High-Performing Network
Top local providers (therapy, hospice, home health) working together for better outcomes.

🔹 HigherPath Councils
Interdisciplinary teams proactively guiding each resident’s health journey.

🔹 Integrated Health Records
A holistic view of wellbeing—no more fragmented care.

🔹 Outcome-Focused Technology
Wearables, monitoring, and machine learning to prevent incidents before they happen.

🔹 Medicare Health Plan Guidance
We help you choose the plan that best supports your path to better health.

💡 This is more than care—it’s a movement toward a better future for seniors.

👉 Learn more about the HigherPath difference:
https://bickfordseniorliving.com/why-were-different/

Most senior care is reactive, siloed and confusing. With our nationally recognized HigherPath Senior Health Model, we’re championing a higher standard.

09/02/2025

Happy Anniversary!

Whitney Keeton, Divisional Director of Operations- VA
Heather Cress, Family Advocate at Bickford of Chesapeake/ Bickford of Virginia Beach
Vickie Andrews, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Shelby Township
Mary Gehle, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Canton

09/02/2025

🌟 From Business Owner to Community Influencer 🌟

Recently, resident Nancy joined our Health and Wellness Director, Jasmine, for an interview with a potential team member—and she brought serious insight to the table! With her background as a successful business owner, Nancy asked thoughtful, sharp questions that added real value to the conversation.

Jasmine shared how refreshing it was to hear Nancy’s perspective, and Nancy left feeling purposeful and appreciated. 💬✨

This is the heart of our Montessori approach: empowering residents to share their skills, make meaningful choices, and contribute in ways that matter. When residents are invited to use their talents and life experiences, they don’t just participate—they feel valued, respected, and truly connected to their community.

Including residents in the hiring process sends a powerful message: their voices help guide our community. 💙

09/01/2025

👏This Labor Day, we honor the hands and hearts that keep our communities thriving.

From caregivers and nurses to cooks, maintenance teams, and activity coordinators—every role at Bickford Senior Living is essential. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to ensure our residents feel safe, loved, and at home. 🏡💛

Labor Day reminds us that meaningful work isn’t just about tasks—it’s about purpose. And in senior living, that purpose is deeply personal.

To all who labor with compassion and care: thank you.
To our residents who spent decades building this country with their own hard work: we celebrate you too.

08/29/2025

Happy Anniversary!

Ron Czajkowski, Bread Basket Specialist
Gina DeRosa, Executive Director Bickford of St. Bickford of St Charles
Dawn Senesac, Executive Director Bickford of Tinley Park
Katelyn Holding, Executive Director Bickford of Greenwood

08/29/2025

💬 “Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s strength.”
Choosing senior living is one of the hardest decisions a family can make. At Bickford, we honor that courage by being just as vulnerable in return.

That’s why we share real reviews from our residents and families—the good, the tough, and everything in between. No cherry-picking. No filters. Just honest feedback from those who live here and love someone who does.

We believe trust is built on transparency, not perfection. 💛

🔍 Explore our reviews and see how we’re committed to doing “whatever it takes” to help our residents live their best lives.

08/28/2025

🚨 Midnight. Freezing temps. A burst pipe.
Who do you call? Del Wood.

When disaster strikes at a Bickford branch, Del doesn’t hesitate. He drives hours through icy conditions, coordinates teams, and keeps our communities safe—all while cracking jokes with veterans and chatting baseball with memory care residents. 💬⚾

Del’s dedication goes far beyond maintenance. It’s personal. It’s heartfelt. And it’s why he’s been inducted into the Caregiver Ring of Honor.

👉 Read Del’s full story and see why he’s the kind of hero who never asks for recognition—but absolutely deserves it: https://bickfordseniorliving.com/advice/caregiver-ring-of-honor-del-wood/

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08/27/2025

🚶‍♂️ Two paths. One choice. 💜

Most seniors unknowingly follow the LowerPath—a cycle of health declines after each unexpected event. But at Bickford, we believe in something better: the HigherPath.

Through proactive care and personalized support, we help residents live happier, healthier—longer.

✨ Which path will you choose for your loved one?

👉 Click to learn more about the HigherPath difference: https://bickfordseniorliving.com/why-were-different/

Most senior care is reactive, siloed and confusing. With our nationally recognized HigherPath Senior Health Model, we’re championing a higher standard.

08/27/2025

So thankful to work at Bickford of Aurora with some of the best, most hard working people I have worked with. These people have the heart of a caregiver!! Just wanted to share this with everyone! If a Resident is in Assisted Living or Memory Care they have some Of the Best people caring for them…feeling grateful and blessed!

08/25/2025

💊 Medication mistakes are no joke—72% of senior health events are medication-related. But not on our watch.

At Bickford, our Medication Management system is built for safety, accuracy, and peace of mind. From certified staff and electronic tracking to in-house pharmacy and prescription reviews, we’ve got every detail covered.

✅ No missed doses
✅ No dangerous interactions
✅ No gaps in care

Our team keeps residents safe and thriving.

08/22/2025

At Bickford, we go beyond care—we build relationships rooted in dignity, trust, and compassion. Every month, we ask families how we’re doing, and their honest feedback helps us grow stronger together.

👉 See what families had to say

08/22/2025

Montessori based dementia programming has become a game changer at Bickford of Aurora! Our residents have become a vital asset to our meal preparation process and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Dementia is often viewed through the lens of loss—loss of memory, identity, independence. But what’s frequently overlooked is what still remains.

At Bickford of Aurora we strive to see beyond dementia and set our focus on our memory care residents still having abilities, relationships, stories, and most importantly, a deep human need for purpose. Purpose gives meaning to our days. It helps us feel connected, valued, and part of something larger than ourselves. And for those living with dementia, having a sense of purpose can be transformative. It’s not just about adding days to life—it’s about adding life to days.

08/21/2025

Thank you, Erin, for the delicious lunch today in our Bread Basket at Bickford of Aurora. The love you put into the food you prepare is felt and tasted by us every day!

08/21/2025

🌟 From CNA to VP—Simone Pena’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. 🌟

For 16 years, Simone has poured her heart into Bickford, rising from caregiver to Vice President of Operations. Her story is a powerful reminder of what it means to lead with compassion, purpose, and a deep respect for the people we serve.

💬 “You are something to everyone,” Simone says. “Just caring for people, stepping up, seeing a need and filling it.”

She’s not just a leader—she’s a legacy in motion. 💜

👉 Read more about Simone and her induction into the Caregiver Ring of Honor: https://bickfordseniorliving.com/advice/caregiver-ring-of-honor-simone-pena/

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