Bickford of Fort Dodge

11/01/2025

We held our annual Pumpkin Decorating Award today and congrats to Marilyn for taking the prize for first place! We had so many pumpkins to judge this year and the BFMS really stepped up and made sure whoever wanted to paint a pumpkin was able! Our St. Ed’s Discipleship class kids were also a great help to our residents! Wasn’t Grace the perfect contest hostess?

11/01/2025

Fun was had by all today! Happy Halloween! We played games, cheated at races, enjoyed spooky brownies, and posed for the camera this afternoon and were tricked and treated tonight!

10/31/2025

🎃👻 Spooky Season Meets Sweet Memories! 👻🎃
At Bickford, Halloween isn’t just for trick-or-treaters — it’s a time for laughter, creativity, and connection across generations. From pumpkin decorating to costume parades and spooky storytelling, our residents are embracing the spirit of the season with joy and flair!

Whether it’s reminiscing about Halloweens past or making new memories with friends and family, we believe every age has a reason to celebrate. 🧡

📸 Stay tuned for snapshots of our festive fun — and don’t be surprised if you see a few witches, superheroes, or even Elvis roaming the halls!

10/31/2025

Care Tracker Integration Update
We’re excited to announce the rollout of a new phone system that integrates directly with our care tracking technology and health records. As part of this upgrade, BFMs are now equipped with mobile devices that display their task lists and allow them to chart care activities in real time.
So if you see a BFM using their phone, rest assured—they’re actively documenting the care they’re providing to ensure accuracy, accountability, and continuity.
Why this matters:
This integration is a major step forward in how we deliver care. By streamlining documentation and communication, we’re reducing delays, minimizing errors, and making sure that every care action is recorded promptly and accurately. It empowers our team to stay connected, informed, and responsive—ultimately leading to better outcomes for those we serve.
Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate this transition. While change can come with a few bumps, we’re confident this enhancement will lead to smoother communication, greater efficiency, and improved care for everyone involved.

10/30/2025

Happy Birthday Rich! Hope you’ve had a great day!

10/30/2025

Family has its benefits 💚

At Bickford, we believe work should feel like home. Here’s why our team loves being part of the family:
✨ Free Meals – Enjoy delicious, scratch-made meals from our Bread Basket kitchen during your shift. (Yes, they’re really good.)
📱 Verizon Discount – Save 20%+ on your cell phone bill with our large employer group discount.
💼 Purpose-Driven Work – Make a difference every day. At Bickford, your work truly matters.

Ready to join a workplace that feels like family?
👉 Click here to learn more and apply:

You deserve a better place to care. We will not stop until we're the best place in America to be a caregiver. Explore careers at Bickford.

10/29/2025

🌟 HigherPath Celebration Story: Finding Paul Again 🌟

When Paul came to Bickford after a hospital stay, he was caught between two worlds—physically capable but mentally weighed down by frontal lobe dementia. Once a passionate runner, Paul struggled to lift his head or make eye contact due to medication side effects. His spark seemed dimmed.

But through the HigherPath approach, Paul’s story took a powerful turn:
✅ Our on-site nurse practitioner adjusted his medications
✅ Fox Therapy helped him regain strength through targeted physical therapy
✅ The HigherPath council transitioned him to Mary B’s neighborhood for more personalized care

Today, Paul walks confidently, engages in outings, and connects with others—eye to eye. Even more remarkable? He hasn’t had a single fall or ER visit since.

This is what living happier, healthier—longer looks like. 💚

10/29/2025

The residents have been working hard on their pumpkins for the contest on Friday! They look outstanding!

10/28/2025

Did You Know? Bickford is Pet Friendly
At Bickford, we know pets are more than companions — they’re family. That’s why we’re proud to be a pet-friendly community where residents and their furry (or even scaly) friends can truly feel at home.
There are real benefits to having pets around:
They lift our spirits.
Spending time with pets can lower stress and increase feelings of happiness and comfort. Research shows that being around animals can even help reduce anxiety and depression.
(Source: American Heart Association, 2019)
They keep us active.
From daily walks to simple playtime, pets encourage movement and routine, both of which are great for physical and emotional health.
(Source: CDC, 2020)
They help us connect.
Pets naturally bring people together and help build friendships and a sense of community.
(Source: National Institutes of Health, 2022)
Don’t let having a fuzzy or scaly friend stop you from exploring assisted living. Bickford is happy to welcome them too.
To learn more or schedule a tour, contact our Family Advocate, Mercedes, at 515-605-7649 today

10/28/2025

🥧 Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, and a Whole Lot of Heart 🍎
This week, our Cooking Club rolled up their sleeves and baked delicious pumpkin and apple pies—then shared them with the entire branch during Happy Hour!

What made this moment truly special wasn’t just the sweet treats—it was the sharing. In Montessori Memory Care, we believe every activity should be purposeful and empowering, not just “busy work.” When our residents create something and then give it to others, it reinforces dignity, connection, and community.

Moments like these remind us: meaningful engagement is the recipe for joy. 💛

10/28/2025

Alex and Dakotah were getting in the spooky spirit by decorating some of the resident’s doors yesterday!

10/27/2025

Remember if your loved one would like to pass out candy this Friday for Beggars Night, it starts at 5:30-7:00. We have candy bowls for residents to use but residents will need to provide their own candy to pass! Thank you!

10/27/2025

HigherPath Partner Spotlight

✨ Say goodbye to paperwork and hello to peace of mind! ✨

Introducing August Health: Your One-Stop Family Portal 🏡💻

Here’s how it works:
1️⃣ Start with easy digital move-in documents
2️⃣ Caregivers log daily updates—routines, medications, vitals & more
3️⃣ Families get secure access to service plans, billing, messages & medication info

The Bottom Line:
We’ve replaced clunky systems with a clean, modern portal that keeps families and staff connected with the info they need—when they need it.

👉 Click the link to find out more: https://www.augusthealth.com/

Streamline operations and improve resident care with our senior living solutions.

10/24/2025

🌟 From Fear to Freedom: Gabriele’s Journey on the HigherPath 🌟

After a serious fall left her dependent on a Hoyer lift, Gabriele lived in constant fear—especially during transfers. But through the compassionate, coordinated care of our team at Bickford, she found her way back to confidence and independence.

💡 The HigherPath Difference:
✨ Insightful Prevention: SafelyYou technology helped us understand the root causes of her falls and prevent future ones.
✨ Therapeutic Trust: Fox Therapy’s on-site team provided consistent reassurance, helping Gabriele feel safe and empowered during therapy.
✨ Personalized Joy: Our Happiness Coordinator engaged her in meaningful activities that made her feel truly at home.

Today, Gabriele no longer needs a Hoyer lift. She walks short distances, transfers independently, and—most importantly—no longer cries out in fear. Her transformation is more than physical—it’s a powerful return to dignity, confidence, and joy.

💚 This is what it means to walk the HigherPath.

10/23/2025

Family has its benefits 💙

We believe in supporting you and your loved ones—because when your family thrives, so do you. Here’s how we help make that happen:

✅ Low Healthcare Costs – Choose from comprehensive plans that keep your family covered without breaking the bank.
🩺 24/7 Telehealth Access – Skip the waiting room! Get care anytime, anywhere.
💊 Prescription Savings – Enjoy major discounts through our in-house pharmacy.
👶 Childcare FSA – Pay for childcare tax-free and keep more of your hard-earned money.
💼 401(k) Match – We’ll help you save for the future with up to 3% match on your annual pay.

Because when you’re part of our family, we take care of yours. 💼👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Find out more at: https://bickfordseniorliving.com/careers/

You deserve a better place to care. We will not stop until we're the best place in America to be a caregiver. Explore careers at Bickford.

10/22/2025

🏈 Supporting Passions, Empowering Independence 🧠

Our resident Steve, a proud former Steelers player, still loves cheering on his team! Thanks to our amazing Maintenance Director Jackie, who compiled the fall game schedule and posted it in Steve’s room and the med room so he never misses a game.

This simple gesture is more than just thoughtful—it’s a powerful example of Montessori programming. By using cognitive ramps like visual cues and personalized schedules, we help residents like Steve stay connected to what they love and maintain independence in their daily routines.

It’s all about honoring identity, fostering autonomy, and creating moments of joy. 💛🖤

10/20/2025

HigherPath Partner Spotlight: CarePredict
Keeping Loved Ones Safe, Connected & Supported—Every Step of the Way 💙

We’re proud to use CarePredict—a smart resident monitoring system that provides wearable devices, empowering our caregivers and brings peace of mind to families.

🔍 Locate & Connect
Caregivers can quickly find residents for activities, visits, or medication. Residents can request help instantly with two-way voice communication.

⚠️ Detect & Alert
AI monitors daily activity patterns and fall risk, alerting our team when something changes—so we can act early and prevent problems.

✅ The Bottom Line
CarePredict gives us real-time insights into safety and health, helping us respond faster and support our residents with confidence.

10/17/2025

📣 Satisfaction Surveys Are Open Through October 20! 🗓️

At Bickford, we don’t just say we’re committed to happiness—we strive to live it every day. Now, we want to hear from you: our residents, their families, and our amazing Bickford Family Members.

💬 What are we doing well? Where can we grow?
Your voice matters, and your feedback helps us walk the talk of our purpose and values.
We’ve partnered with Activated Insights, a nationally recognized research organization, to conduct confidential online surveys that are quick and easy to complete.

✨ Why it matters:
Resident & Family feedback helps communities qualify for U.S. News Best Senior Living recognition.
BFM feedback helps us earn a spot on Fortune’s Great Place to Work® list.

Let’s continue building a place where happiness lives. 💛
📩 Questions? Reach out to your Executive Director.

10/16/2025

🌟 Family Has Its Benefits — Especially When It Comes to Your Career 🌟

We believe leadership isn’t just taught — it’s cultivated. That’s why we’ve partnered with Stagen Leadership Academy to develop the next generation of caregiver leaders. 💼✨

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, we’ve got your back:
✅ World-Class Leadership Development
✅ Skills Training for Beginners
✅ A Culture That Feels Like Family

You don’t need experience to begin a career in healthcare — just a heart for people. We’ll help you build the skills to thrive. 💙
Ready to start your journey? Let’s grow together. https://bickfordseniorliving.com/careers/

You deserve a better place to care. We will not stop until we're the best place in America to be a caregiver. Explore careers at Bickford.

10/15/2025

🌟 HigherPath Celebration Story: Ice Cream to Independence 🍦

Todd’s family began noticing changes—he was more forgetful, unsteady, and eating sweets for every meal. He stopped grooming and wasn’t feeling well, prompting a hospital visit where he was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. His family felt it was the right time to explore a retreat stay at Bickford.

Bickford’s HigherPath approach brought the team together to help Tom regain his strength and dignity.
- Through the use of his CarePredict call button, Todd was able to quickly request assistance
- Our nurse practitioner reviewed and adjusted his medications
- Fox Therapy’s in-house team used physical therapy to strengthen his leg muscles
- Dining staff monitored his diet to provide healthy, balanced meals
- Our on-staff Chaplin visited with Tom weekly and the happiness coordinator took him to activities and on scenic drives

Todd now starts his mornings with friendly conversation and a bagel—no more ice cream for breakfast. Each day, he lifts weights in a designated space within the Fox Therapy room, staying active and focused. What began as a short retreat stay turned into a personal decision to make Bickford his home, thanks to the support of our HigherPath approach.

🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 ✨ 🌟 ☪️

10/14/2025

🌟 Moments That Matter at Mary B's 🌟

When Gloria, one of our Mary B’s residents, was looking for something meaningful to do, she joined our Assisted Living neighbors for a friendly game of tennis 🎾—and even stayed to help clean up afterward! Her enthusiasm and helpful spirit brought smiles to everyone around her.

This is a beautiful example of Montessori Memory Care in action—where residents are empowered to engage in purposeful activities that reflect their interests and abilities. By encouraging independence and normal behavior, we help our residents feel valued, capable, and connected.

Way to go, Gloria! 💙