Paul recently noticed that Aya’s participation in activities was starting to lessen. Upon visiting her room he noticed many fenh shui stylistic decorations. Aya shared that she was born in Toyko, Japan and they started talking about Japanese style, gardening and koi ponds.  The following month Paul organized a trip to a local nationally recognized Japanese garden called Anderson Japanese Gardens. Aya went on the trip, and shared that she had actually been a volunteer tour guide there for many years.  She was like a celebrity walking around and getting stopped by many people she knew. Paul took a photograph of Aya sitting by a colorful Japanese maple tree, and placed it in the lobby of the Branch. In the picture Aya is wearing a great big sun hat, and wearing an even more stylish smile!

Bob was born in Ashland, Wisconsin.  He has Huntington's disease, and often repeats himself frequently when something excites him.  During a resident council meeting he mentioned that he’d like to visit the zoo.  Paul found a smaller scale zoo in Madison, Wisconsin called Henry Vilas Zoo, and organized a trip.  Bob was super excited to visit the zoo, especially one in his native state. When they returned from the trip, in typical Bob-like style, he talked about the trip to all the residents and BFMs about it – even the visiting families!

Hospice resident Ellie is 100 years young. She is sharp as a tack, and always engaged in games that challenge the mind, but not a lot of residents will play with her because she always wins. Paul noticed that she often plays Scrabble on her iPad. They recently had an independent resident move in who mentioned that she liked Scrabble. Once she was on board to play, Paul was able to get a few other residents to join the game. In the end Ellie’s score was just under 200 points, beating all three of them handedly. The next game is already planned, and Paul said he is preparing to eat his share of humble pie. 

Bill learned to scuba dive at the age of 98 and 161 days! He became the oldest male scuba diver world record holder in Cozumel, Mexico on September 12, 2019. Bill’s dream on his 100th birthday was to go back to Cozumel to dive again. Unfortunately, with the Coronavirus that dream didn’t happen. So Dawn, our LEC, decided to throw Bill a tropical “Under the Sea” party. A steel drum played tropical music, family and friends joined us outside and we had a life-size poster of Bill in his wet suit for everyone to take pictures with. It was the closest to Cozumel that we could get! Bill and his scuba team were even able to dive at a local lake with the local media present. Before we knew it Bill was turning into a regular celebrity. Bill had a blast!

Shirley and her husband David were always together. They had a great relationship that many of the BFMs admired. They also knew how to have fun and one time even dressed up as Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Halloween! When David became sick and passed away, Shirley was lonely and in need of love and support. Without missing a beat one of our caregivers, Angie, got to work and created a memorial centerpiece for Shirley to put on her dining room table. Shirley was overwhelmed at the effort that Angie put into the centerpiece and displays it proudly.

Betty is always making food for others. She makes tortas, empanadas and sometimes even full Mexican dinners for others at the Branch. Art came to Bickford and didn’t know anyone but he jumped right in and made friends quickly. He and Betty formed a fast friendship as she was able to speak to him in Spanish and he enjoyed the interaction. Betty decided to make Art empanadas complete with slaw, sauce and rice. He was so happy when she gave it to him. Art’s son found out and told us that Art’s mom used to make homemade empanadas and what Betty did meant the world to him.