Bickford of Ames

11/09/2026

🍞 Welcome to Our Bread Basket Scratch Kitchen 🍽️

At every meal, our residents enjoy nourishing, homestyle food made with care—and made from scratch. 💛

✨ What makes our kitchen special?
• Fresh, made-from-scratch recipes and daily baked bread
• Premium ingredients like Choice & Prime Certified Angus Beef, high‑grade poultry, pork, and seafood
• In‑season, local produce whenever available
• Dietician‑approved recipes prepared by cooks trained daily in culinary excellence
• Special diet accommodations including gluten‑restricted, diabetic, and no‑added‑salt options
• Restaurant‑style dining with three meals daily, cooked‑to‑order breakfast, and multiple entrée choices

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Because food is best when shared, families are always welcome. Celebrate special moments together at The Family Table in our private dining room.

Homestyle. Healthy. Made with heart. ❤️

11/06/2026

From Solitude to Community

After living a quiet and secluded life with limited mobility and little connection to others, Steve arrived at Bickford needing support to fully engage in daily life. His physical limitations and preference for solitude made it difficult for him to participate in activities or build relationships.

Bickford’s HigherPath approach brought the team together to help Steve regain his strength, confidence, and sense of belonging.
✅ A therapy partner provided consistent in-home visits to build strength and improve mobility
✅ The Bickford team offered daily encouragement and personalized support
✅ Caregivers discovered music—especially Johnny Cash—as a meaningful way to spark engagement
✅ A welcoming community environment helped Steve feel comfortable stepping out and connecting with others

Today, Steve is fully immersed in community life—often arriving early for activities, enjoying time in the living room with friends, and even co-starting an after-meal walking club with his peers.

His journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support, connection, and purpose, it’s never too late to step out of isolation and into a life filled with joy and community.

This story is from Bickford of Lincoln.

11/04/2026

We warmly invite you to join us on December 11th at 5:00 PM for a delightful Soup Supper here in Ames!

Please RSVP to **[email protected]** by December 1st
Let us know who you will be visiting so we can ensure we have plenty of soup for everyone!

We look forward to welcoming you for an evening of good food, fellowship, and fun.
We hope to see you there!

11/04/2026

🎃🧡 The cutest 28 seconds you’ll see today!

When a Care Transition Coordinator at St. Croix Hospice, brought her 2-year-old daughter Baylor to trick-or-treat with our residents, something special happened. Dressed as the sweetest little Bears fan, Baylor shared smiles, laughter, and meaningful moments that brightened everyone’s day. 🏈🍬

At Bickford, Montessori-inspired living means creating opportunities for purpose, connection, and engagement across generations. Experiences like this remind us that learning, relationships, and joy don't have an age limit. When residents and children spend time together, both generations benefit through shared experiences, meaningful interactions, and a stronger sense of belonging.

What started as a simple Halloween visit became a beautiful example of neighbors, families, and residents connecting in ways that enrich all of our lives. 🎃❤️
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1663432328761967

This video is from Bickford of Tinley Park.

11/02/2026

When someone you love is living with dementia, the right care makes all the difference.

Our dementia programming is built around:
• Personalized life stories that guide care
• Meaningful, familiar items to ease anxiety
• Specially trained caregivers who understand the journey
• Family support because you deserve care too
• One-on-one companionship for deeper connection

It’s not just care—it’s compassion, intention, and a commitment to helping every resident feel known and valued. 💛

10/30/2026

From Isolation to Joy

After the loss of her husband of over 50 years, Carolee continued living alone on the farm—but over time, her family began to notice significant changes. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023, she struggled to remember meals and medications, leading to weight loss and frequent falls. Even with support in place, daily life became increasingly unsafe and overwhelming.

Bickford’s HigherPath approach brought the team together to help Carolee regain stability, connection, and purpose.
✅ The care team used August Health records to quickly identify medication timing issues, improving her daily alertness and overall well-being
✅ The Curana provider evaluated her shortly after arrival, addressing hearing concerns and coordinating her care needs
✅ Therapy partners supported her strength and balance with consistent visits each week
✅ BFMs walked alongside Carolee—literally—inviting her to meals, activities, and exercise groups, helping her build routine, confidence, and connection

Today, Carolee is an active and joyful part of the Bickford community. She plays cards in the evenings, helps prepare for activities, joins group outings, and treasures time with her family.

The sparkle in her eye says it all—Carolee is no longer just surviving, but truly thriving.

This story is from Bickford of Grand Island.

10/28/2026

🐦🎨 Our residents had a wonderful time getting creative by making bird feeders for our feathered friends! After crafting their unique feeders, everyone enjoyed hanging them outside and spending time together while connecting with nature.

Now the fun continues as we watch for visiting birds and see which feathered friends stop by for a snack! 🌿 This activity encouraged creativity, purposeful engagement, and an appreciation for the beauty of the world around us.

This story is from Bickford of Sioux City.

10/27/2026

Happy Anniversary!

Jen Hodge, Executive Director at Bickford of Carmel
Kelly Chestnut, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Greenwood

10/26/2026

✨ A Higher Standard of Care. A Higher Path Forward. ✨

At Bickford, HigherPath Care Coordination means your loved one is supported every step of the way—living happier, healthier, longer.

Our approach is thoughtful, proactive, and centered on the whole person:
• 🩺 On-Site Primary Care – 24/7 access to a physician-led team, right where you live
• 🤝 High-Performing Care Network – Hand-selected partners delivering exceptional outcomes
• 🧭 HigherPath Councils – A dedicated team that meets regularly to guide each resident’s journey
• 📋 Integrated Health Records – Seamless information sharing for a full, connected view of care
• 📊 Outcome-Focused Technology – Advanced tools that help prevent issues before they happen

Because care shouldn’t be reactive—it should be intentional, coordinated, and always moving forward. 💚

👉 Discover what it means to stay on the HigherPath: 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.

10/26/2026

Happy Anniversary!

Christine Beagle, Executive Director at Bickford of Fort Dodge
Marla Smith, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Peoria
Carma Harris, Divisional Director of Health & Wellness at Branch Support

10/23/2026

Happy Anniversary!

Sarah Wilson, Executive Director at Bickford of Omaha Hickory
Angie Nutter, Executive Director at Bickford of Lincoln
Danny Moss, Director of Property Management at Branch Support

10/21/2026

❤️ Every family has a story worth celebrating.

Our Family History Day Family Night brought residents and their loved ones together to reminisce, reconnect, and make new memories.

Families traveled through four memory-filled stations:
🥧 Taste Your Heritage with nostalgic pies and warm c***r
📸 Capture the Moment with photos and keepsake frames
📍 Pin Your Hometown and celebrate where their stories began
🎶 Sing a Song and enjoy favorite tunes together

Each stop sparked conversation, shared stories, and meaningful moments between residents and their families. 💗

That’s Montessori-inspired dementia care in action: honoring each person’s unique life story, building on familiar experiences, encouraging choice, and creating opportunities for genuine connection.

Because it’s not only about remembering the past. It’s about making beautiful memories together today. 🥰

Thank you to all the families who made the evening so special! 💕

This story is from Bickford of Bexley.

10/21/2026

Happy Anniversary!

Nancy Stout, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Oswego

10/21/2026

❤️ Every family has a story worth celebrating.

Our Family History Day Family Night brought residents and their loved ones together to reminisce, reconnect, and make new memories.

Families traveled through four memory-filled stations:
🥧 Taste Your Heritage with nostalgic pies and warm c***r
📸 Capture the Moment with photos and keepsake frames
📍 Pin Your Hometown and celebrate where their stories began
🎶 Sing a Song and enjoy favorite tunes together

Each stop sparked conversation, shared stories, and meaningful moments between residents and their families. 💗

That’s Montessori-inspired dementia care in action: honoring each person’s unique life story, building on familiar experiences, encouraging choice, and creating opportunities for genuine connection.

Because it’s not only about remembering the past. It’s about making beautiful memories together today. 🥰

Thank you to all the families who made the evening so special! 💕

This story is from Bickford of Bexley.

10/20/2026

Happy Anniversary!

Eve Safarik, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Bickford of Tinley Park
Jamie Stratton, Executive Director at Bickford of Midland
Jasmine Wright, Executive Director at Bickford of Chesapeake

10/19/2026

At Bickford Senior Living, caring for seniors starts with a commitment to helping residents live happier, healther lives. Our family of caregivers is dedicated to doing whatever it takes to support residents while creating an environment where they feel safe, supported and connected.

Our dedication to resident safety and well-being is just one of the many reason Accushield recognized us as their SP2L of the Month.

Safest Places to Live (SP2L) is a national accreditation program and searchable directory recognizing communities that meet a rigorous 8-Point Standard of Resident Security-reflecting safety, accountability and peace of mind.

10/19/2026

Happy Anniversary!

Amanda Brunken, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of Grand Island
Liz Lyon, Health & Wellness Director at Bickford of West Des Moines
Jaci Dettman, Family Advocate at Bickford of Grand Island

10/16/2026

Mim Finds Calm & Confidence

When Mim first came to Bickford, anxiety overshadowed her days. She frequently sought reassurance, which limited her independence and placed added strain on caregivers. Her family longed to see her more at ease and engaged in daily life.

Bickford’s HigherPath approach brought the team together to help Mim rediscover her sense of calm.
✅ Our clinical team made thoughtful medication adjustments to support her emotional well-being.
✅ Montessori-inspired activities encouraged choice, independence, and meaningful engagement.
✅ A personalized Q&A binder was introduced, empowering Mim to find answers on her own and reducing the need for constant reassurance.

Today, Mim’s anxiety has decreased significantly. She confidently uses her binder, enjoys greater independence, and participates in activities with a renewed sense of purpose. Her family shares heartfelt feedback about her calm demeanor and improved engagement—a transformation that speaks to the power of personalized care.

This story is from Bickford of Worthington.