Bickford of Tinley Park

11/28/2025

🦃 Creativity, Connection, and Community—Montessori in Action! 🦃

This Thanksgiving season, our Assisted Living and Memory Care residents teamed up to craft their own turkey decorations. One Memory Care resident even gifted her finished creation to the grandchildren of an AL resident—what a beautiful moment of sharing!

This hands-on, purposeful activity reflects the Montessori philosophy: empowering residents to create, connect, and contribute in meaningful ways. It’s more than crafts—it’s fostering independence, joy, and intergenerational bonds. 💙

11/27/2025

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from Our Family to Yours! 🦃

Today, we celebrate gratitude, togetherness, and the joy of community. At Bickford, every day is about creating meaningful moments—but Thanksgiving is extra special.

From shared meals to heartfelt conversations, we’re thankful for the residents, families, and caregivers who make our community feel like home. 💙

Wishing you a day filled with warmth, laughter, and love.

👉 Share what you’re thankful for in the comments!

11/26/2025

🌅 A New Dawn for Diane 🌅

Diane was living with advanced osteoporosis that left her in constant pain and unable to care for herself or even leave her home. Her condition had progressed to the point where she could no longer sit at a dinner table without resting her head on it. When Diane’s daughter, Tricia, was diagnosed with a terminal illness and could no longer provide the care her mother needed, she turned to Bickford for help—entrusting us with the care and dignity her mother deserved.

Through our HigherPath approach, we worked together to restore comfort and independence:
✅ Custom “Tilt-in-Space” chair from Fox Therapy
✅ Personalized pain management from our nurse practitioner
✅ Caregiver training for continuous comfort

For the first time in years, Diane can sit at a table and share a meal with others, enjoy the sunshine outdoors in comfort, and fully embrace life in the community once again. Her words say it all: "It feels like I’m sun-tanning again—just like when I was young!" Her daughter couldn’t be happier, watching her mom sit, laugh, and smile alongside new friends.💙

11/25/2025

We salute the brave men and women who served our country—and the loved ones who stood beside them.

At Bickford, we believe in giving back. That’s why this November, veterans or their spouses who move in for long-term care will receive $250 off monthly rent—for life. 💙

Whether you're a veteran or the spouse of one, let us serve you with the comfort, care, and respect you deserve.

📞 Call today to schedule a tour or learn more.

11/24/2025

🎄 Holiday Retreat for Seniors: Comfort, Care & Celebration 🎁

This season, give your loved one the gift of joy, connection, and peace of mind — while giving yourself the freedom to travel, host, or simply breathe.

✨ Whether you're:
• Traveling for the holidays
• Hosting a full house
• Worried about holiday loneliness

We’re here to help with a cozy, festive retreat designed just for seniors.

🏡 Holiday Experience Includes:
• A beautifully decorated, fully furnished apartment
• Three homemade meals daily + a festive Christmas feast
• Daily holiday-themed activities & a special party
• Fireside chats and social time with new friends

💙 Personalized Care & Wellness:
• Customized care plans from certified caregivers
• 24/7 access to a physician-led care team
• Medication management & therapy services
• Safety features, smart monitoring & integrated health records

🎁 This holiday, let us care for your loved one — so you can enjoy the season knowing they’re safe, happy, and surrounded by warmth.

📞 Contact us today for details and rates!

11/21/2025

💭 “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:

11/21/2025

💭 “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:

11/20/2025

🌸 Hospitality in Action: A Montessori-Inspired Community 🌸

Our Welcome Committee recently reimagined their role and became the Hospitality Committee, embracing a mission of creating meaningful connections. Their first question:
"What would have made you feel more at home when you first moved in?"

The answer? A warm meet-and-greet—and so the New Resident Luncheon was born!

Residents took the lead:
✅ Filling nametags
✅ Arranging flowers
✅ Choosing a live musician
✅ Handing out invitations

This hands-on involvement reflects the Montessori philosophy—empowering individuals to contribute, make choices, and create a sense of belonging. The result? A beautiful luncheon where new neighbors felt truly welcomed. 💙

11/20/2025

🌸 Hospitality in Action: A Montessori-Inspired Community 🌸

Our Welcome Committee recently reimagined their role and became the Hospitality Committee, embracing a mission of creating meaningful connections. Their first question:
"What would have made you feel more at home when you first moved in?"

The answer? A warm meet-and-greet—and so the New Resident Luncheon was born!

Residents took the lead:
✅ Filling nametags
✅ Arranging flowers
✅ Choosing a live musician
✅ Handing out invitations

This hands-on involvement reflects the Montessori philosophy—empowering individuals to contribute, make choices, and create a sense of belonging. The result? A beautiful luncheon where new neighbors felt truly welcomed. 💙

11/19/2025

🌟 Ruby’s Revival: A Story of Strength & Support 🌟

After a fall left Ruby, a 90-year-old retired teacher, unable to walk, she faced one of life’s toughest challenges. But with Bickford’s HigherPath approach, Ruby didn’t just recover—she thrived.

✅ Personalized therapy & care from Fox Therapy and our nurse practitioner
✅ On-site medical support in the comfort of her apartment
✅ Collaborative care planning through HigherPath Council meetings

Today, Ruby walks independently, enjoys activities, and shares meals with friends. Her words say it all:
"I love living here. I love the people, my apartment, and the crafts." 💙

11/14/2025

Happy Anniversary!

Tiaqua Carter, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Virginia Beach
Loryn Duncan Marcel, Executive Director at Bickford of Virginia Beach
Krystyna Badoni, Divisional Director of Operations MI

11/14/2025

📌 One Question. Endless Insight.

At Bickford, we believe that meaningful care starts with meaningful conversation. That’s why, each month, we don’t send out a checklist—we ask one powerful question. Just one.

The responses? They inspire us. They challenge us. They remind us why we do what we do.

Because here, care isn’t a task—it’s a relationship built on listening, understanding, and heart.

💬 This month’s answers from our families are especially moving.
👇 Take a moment to read what they shared.

11/14/2025

📌 One Question. Endless Insight.

At Bickford, we believe that meaningful care starts with meaningful conversation. That’s why, each month, we don’t send out a checklist—we ask one powerful question. Just one.

The responses? They inspire us. They challenge us. They remind us why we do what we do.

Because here, care isn’t a task—it’s a relationship built on listening, understanding, and heart.

💬 This month’s answers from our families are especially moving.
👇 Take a moment to read what they shared.

11/13/2025

🎶 From Iowa to Abbey Road! 🎶

Jamie Poulsen, an Iowa composer and Simpson College professor, recently achieved a dream many musicians only imagine—recording his orchestral work at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London!

This incredible milestone is even more special because Jamie’s mother, Marilyn Brubaker, is a proud resident at Bickford of Urbandale.

✨ Watch Jamie’s inspiring story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkmt_U-zKws

Iowa composer and Simpson College professor Jamie Poulsen experienced the opportunity of a lifetime to record his orchestral work in one of the most famous s...

11/12/2025

🌟 Lynn’s Comeback: A Journey of Strength and Hope 🌟

At 78, Lynn—a strong, independent businesswoman who once owned her own cleaning company—faced one of life’s toughest challenges. After a stroke and a dementia diagnosis, she entered our memory care community unable to walk, withdrawn, and fearful of what the future held.

But with Bickford’s HigherPath approach, everything changed. Together, our team helped Lynn rediscover confidence, independence, and joy:

✅ On-site medical care from Hansa Medical Group kept her safe and comfortable.
✅ Targeted therapy from Fox Therapy rebuilt her strength step by step.
✅ Empowering activities like light cleaning restored her sense of purpose.
✅ Personalized care planning through HigherPath Council ensured everyone stayed focused on her goals.

Today, Lynn walks our halls with a steady walker and a bright smile—proof that with the right support, incredible comebacks are possible. 💪✨

11/12/2025

And finally, a heart warming thank you to the very best of our celebration, the wonderful veterans of Bickford of Tinley Park!

Thank you all for being the heart of our community and helping us create these beautiful memories in the making.

Sincerely,

Rene
Montessori Life Style Coordinator

*Robert Mungerson
US Merchant Marines
1941-1946

*George Pluister
US Army -Corporal
1959-1961

*Frank Volek
US Coast Guard -Engineman Second Class
1952-1956

*Herbert Majer
US Army-Signal Corporal
1954-1956

*Larry Birks
US Army Specialist Rank of E4
1964-1966

*Earl Luchene
US Air Force - Three Stripes Sergeant
1950-1954

*Tom Godlewski
US Army- Private
1950-1960

*Richard Maxwell
US Army-Staff Sergeant
1943-1945

*Milan Valuch
US Air Force- Airman Second Class
1956-1960

*Ken Slanicky
US Army-Sergeant
1963-1965

*David Kovacevich
US National Guard

(Not pictured)
*Our Chaplain
Kathleen Camerena
1993-2016

*Frank K and Adam D

11/12/2025

A special moment as each veteran received their Veteran Day Medal, an American Flag Pin and a Certificate of Appreciation. This small gesture represents our enormous gratitude for their services and sacrifices. Thank you, Eve Musil Safarik our Wellness & Health Coordinator and Sherri Miron from Bristol Hospice for making this presentation more meaningful.