At Bickford, even storm warnings can’t rain on our parade!! When the skies turn gray, we turn up the joy! Residents gathered together for a cozy afternoon filled with fortune cookie fun—cracking them open to read silly, sweet, and sometimes surprisingly wise fortunes. The fun didn’t stop there… old-time songs filled the room as voices joined in familiar tunes, bringing back cherished memories. With a little grace dancing and lighthearted entertaining, the hall transformed into a stage of smiles, movement, and connection. Because here at Bickford, we don’t just weather the storm—we dance right through it!

Our residents enjoyed a delightful mix of pampering and play with nail polish time paired with a fun memory game session! As hands were treated to fresh coats of beautiful colors, conversations flowed just as smoothly—stories shared, compliments exchanged, and smiles all around.

Please help me recognize Jessica Ross, our wonderful Montessori Engagement Coordinator. Many of you already know Jessica well—she’s been part of the Bickford family since 2018, and her role is truly something special. Her job is to bring joy, purpose, and fun to our tenants’ daily lives, and she does it with heart, creativity, and genuine care. Activities aren’t just “something to do.” They are essential to the well‑being of our tenants. Meaningful engagement supports cognitive health, reduces loneliness, encourages movement, strengthens social connections, and gives each person a sense of purpose and belonging. When tenants stay active—mentally, physically, and socially—they thrive. Jessica plays a major role in making that happen every single day. Jessica has spent most of her career in healthcare, previously serving as a hospice volunteer coordinator before joining Bickford. She was born in Galesburg, Illinois, and grew up in several communities across Iowa and Minnesota, thanks to her parents’ careers in education. In 1996, she married the love of her life, Rob, and together they raised two beautiful daughters, Riley and Grace. They’ll soon be welcoming their first grandchild, which is such an exciting new chapter for their family. Jessica has always been someone who gives back. She dedicated many years to the Calhoun County Fairboard, showing that service to others isn’t just something she does—it’s who she is. Please join me in thanking Jessica for the incredible work she does each day. She keeps our tenants engaged, connected, and thriving, helping them live happier, healthier longer. Thank you, Jessica, for being an integral part of the Higher Path and of Bickford of Fort Dodge. Your impact is felt every single day. #higherpath #Bickfordoffortdodge #greaterfortdodgegrowthalliance

Our residents gathered for Coffee Club today, where the aroma of fresh coffee mingled perfectly with Teresa’s absolutely irresistible cherry coffee cake (seriously… not a crumb left behind! Between bites and sips, the room filled with laughter and stories as everyone enjoyed reminiscing with Director Christine and MEC Jess. From “remember when” moments ( Party Lines, country school, and tramps) to shared smiles, it was one of those mornings that reminds us how special these connections truly are. Thanks for joining us, Christine! We had fun!

Finding My Way Home in Assisted Living For those who don’t already know me, I’m Laura L. Lavender, and my roots run deep in Webster City. I grew up there, graduated from Webster City High School in 1986, and later earned my nursing degree from Iowa Central Community College in 1993. After spending most of my life in the same community, life surprised me—in the best way—when I met Dave. About two and a half years ago, I moved to Fort Dodge to start a new chapter with him. Together, we have a beautifully blended family of three boys, three girls, and 16 grandchildren… with number 17 arriving in August. My nursing career began in Mental Health, where I spent many years working with both adults and adolescents in inpatient, outpatient, and home care settings. I truly thought that would be my forever path. But in 2003, everything shifted when my grandfather had a stroke. My mom and I cared for him at home as long as we could, until we had to make the heartbreaking decision to move him into long term care. On the very day we admitted him, I was offered a job there. I didn’t hesitate—I wanted to be close, to make sure he received the kind of care I expected for him. When he passed in 2006, I stepped away for a while, but it didn’t take long to realize how much I missed it. Long term care had become part of who I was, and I’ve been in that world ever since. What I love most about assisted living is the incredible diversity. Some residents are fully independent, some need a little help, and others rely on us completely. Every day brings a different story, a different smile, a different bit of sass or wisdom. Their personalities, their histories, and their trust fill my heart in a way nothing else ever has. I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. Today, I feel like I’ve found my home at Bickford of Fort Dodge. Our team understands that I expect every resident to be cared for the same way I wanted my grandfather to be cared for—with dignity, compassion, and genuine love. And they work hard every single day to make that happen. This isn’t just a job for me. It’s a calling, a privilege, and a place where my heart feels full. Thank you all that trust me/us to care for your loved ones, aside from my own family, it truly is the greatest gift I could receive. If you would like to meet myself or my staff, call Mercedes at 515-573-3300 to arrange a tour to come see for yourself, just how much we love and care for everyone of our tenants. #higherpath #greaterfortdodgegrowthalliance #bickfordoffortdodge

Today in our community, the tables were full and the competition was friendly as residents gathered for a little classic fun. Card games kept minds sharp and spirits high, while dominoes brought out some impressive strategy (and a few playful rivalries!). And of course, no game day is complete without popcorn to snack on while cheering each other on!

Finding Safety and Peace of Mind at Bickford of Fort Dodge When caring for a loved one at home starts to feel overwhelming, many families begin looking for a place where they know their loved one will be safe, supported, and cared for. At Bickford of Fort Dodge, providing that safety and peace of mind is what we do every day. Our team is available 24/7 to assist residents with daily needs, medication support, and simply being there when someone needs a helping hand. Families often share that one of the biggest benefits of moving to Bickford is the relief they feel knowing their loved one is no longer alone. Whether it’s help getting around safely, enjoying meals, or just having someone to talk to, our staff is always nearby. What truly makes Bickford special is the relationships built between our caregivers, residents, and families. Our team takes the time to get to know each resident, learn their routines, and make them feel at home. Families quickly see that their loved one is not just cared for — they are known and valued. At Bickford of Fort Dodge, we want families to spend less time worrying and more time enjoying visits and making memories. Knowing your loved one is safe, supported, and surrounded by compassionate caregivers brings a level of peace of mind that makes all the difference. If you’re starting to explore options for your loved one, we would love to meet you and show you what makes Bickford feel like home. Schedule your tour with Mercedes, our Family Advocate, today at 515-605-7649. #ThisisFortDodge #CaringMatters #FamilyMatters

A few of our gentleman joined Jess for Men’s group yesterday. We had some of our guys out for appointments and visiting family so we just enjoyed each other’s company and got to know about each other’s childhoods and younger years! I love it when I learn new things about our awesome Bickford family!

There are always residents who keep the whole place laughing and smiling—Mack is one of those people! We love our Bickford family and life is simply better (and a whole lot funnier) with Mack around!

Our Easter celebration was one for the books—full of laughter, sweetness, and just the right amount of chaos! A very special shoutout goes to Teresa, who bravely hopped into the bunny suit for pictures. Let’s just say… the Easter Bunny was working overtime and definitely feeling the heat! But she made it so much fun and brought smiles to everyone! Robert worked his magic behind the camera, capturing memories with his fancy backdrops that made every photo feel like a little springtime masterpiece! We enjoyed a spread of delicious food ( thank you Cory and Amy) that had everyone going back for “just one more bite,” and of course, the Easter egg hunt brought out everyone’s competitive spirit. Thanks to everyone who helped as egg hunt guides, picture takers, costume wearers, and for just helping in general!!!