Montessori Vote Board update time!!! Apple pie is superior over pumpkin pie in our community, so I guess now we know what to have Carlos serve this Thanksgiving!! New activity based question- haunted house or pumpkin patch!? Stop by our community and vote today!

Bickford of Gurnee Weekly Update Hello Bickford Families, Welcome to September! As we begin to enjoy cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and the beauty of the fall season, we are excited to share all the wonderful happenings in our community. Our residents have been making special memories through outings, celebrations, and meaningful connections. Thank you, as always, for your continued support, trust, and partnership. We are grateful to have you as part of the Bickford family. This Week's Highlights Scenic Drive Adventure Residents enjoyed a relaxing scenic drive through downtown Grayslake and the beautiful surrounding rural areas. The outing provided an opportunity to enjoy the changing scenery, reminisce, and spend quality time together outside the community. Upcoming Celebrations & Community Events Adeline’s 100th Birthday Celebration What an incredible milestone! Please join us as we celebrate Adeline's 100th Birthday on: Monday, September 21, 2026 2:00 PM We look forward to honoring this special occasion with family, friends, and fellow residents. Please see the attached flyer for additional details. Community Garage Sale Start gathering those treasures! Thursday, October 15, 2026 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Happy Hour to Follow Residents and families are encouraged to reserve a table and sell items in exchange for donations. All proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association. If you would like to donate items for the sale, donations may be brought to the Activity Room beginning October 1st. Please speak with Mallory if you would like to participate, reserve a table, or donate items. Please see the attached flyer for complete details. Please Welcome Our New Hairdresser! We are excited to welcome Sara, our new hairdresser, to Bickford of Gurnee! Her next available salon day will be: Thursday, September 24, 2026 If you would like to schedule an appointment for your loved one, please contact Mallory. Fall Vaccination Information As we prepare for the upcoming flu and respiratory illness season, please note the following vaccination updates: COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic COVID vaccine consent forms have been placed in residents' mailboxes. October 15, 2026 9:00 AM Residents interested in receiving the COVID vaccine should complete the appropriate consent form and contact Alonda with any questions. Flu Vaccination Clinic Flu vaccine consent forms were due on September 3, 2026. If you have questions regarding flu vaccinations, please contact Alonda. Walk to End Alzheimer's - Lake County We are proud to support the fight against Alzheimer's disease and invite families, friends, and community members to participate in this meaningful event. Saturday, September 26, 2026 Event Schedule • Registration: 9:00 AM • Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM • Walk Begins: 10:30 AM Location Independence Grove Forest Preserve 16400 West Buckley Road Libertyville, IL 60048 Route Options • 2.5-Mile Main Route • Short Route (Under 1 Mile) The event will take place rain or shine. Whether you choose to walk, volunteer, or donate, your support helps advance Alzheimer's care, support, and research. Important Reminder About Community Outings Residents living in Memory Care are always welcome and encouraged to participate in community outings. For safety and support, a family or designated escort is required for participation. If you would like your loved one to attend an upcoming outing, please speak with Mallory or Christine before signing up so arrangements can be made. Thank You As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are honored to support both you and your loved ones every step of the way. Thank you for being such a valued part of the Bickford family. We appreciate the trust you place in us and look forward to creating many more meaningful moments together this fall. Warm Regards, Christine Lawrence Executive Director Bickford of Gurnee

Therapy is always more fun when creativity is involved! This week, Christian, one of our Physical Therapists from Fox Therapy, teamed up with a resident for a friendly game of ring toss. What looked like simple fun was actually a great way to work on balance, coordination, strength, and mobility. We love seeing our therapy partners find engaging ways to help residents reach their goals while sharing plenty of smiles along the way. Thank you, Christian and Fox Therapy, for bringing energy, creativity, and excellent care to our community!

I wanted to share our last few weeks of our Montessori Voting Board at Bickford of Gurnee! It is truly awesome to see such a simple activity bringing our residents in every week to show their personalities. My favorite part has got to be when they start writing in their own preferences and truly thinking outside of the box! In Montessori-based living, choice matters. Our voting board encourages residents to share their preferences, engage with one another, and take an active role in community life. When residents have a voice in decisions, it fosters purpose, independence, and a true sense of belonging. Having our board outside of the bistro gives our residents the perfect talking point as they're walking to and from the dining room, having a snack, or enjoying happy hour on Thursdays. Stay tuned for our next prompt!

Bickford of Gurnee Weekly Update Hello Bickford Families, Welcome to September! What a wonderful time of year as we begin looking forward to cooler temperatures, changing colors, and all the special moments that fall brings. Our community has been busy enjoying meaningful outings, celebrating together, and making plans for exciting events ahead. Thank you, as always, for your continued support, trust, and partnership. We are grateful to have you as part of the Bickford family. This Week's Highlights Labor Day Happy Hour Our Labor Day Happy Hour was a tremendous success and the most attended Happy Hour to date! Residents enjoyed delicious BBQ prepared by Chef Carlos along with a variety of desserts. The lively conversation and fellowship continued right into dinner hour as everyone gathered to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. It was wonderful to see so many residents enjoying great food, drinks, and each other's company. ???? Special Entertainment: Jane Allyson Residents were treated to a special performance by Jane Allyson, who delighted everyone with her tribute to Dolly Parton. The room was filled with smiling faces as residents sang along, clapped to the music, and reminisced about favorite songs. Independence Grove Outing Thankfully, the rain held off for our outing to Independence Grove! Residents enjoyed relaxing by the lake, watching wildlife, and even picking beautiful flowers. It was a peaceful afternoon spent enjoying nature and the beauty of the season. Community Announcements Mary B's Neighborhood Refresh Rodney has been hard at work refreshing and repainting the common areas in Mary B's Neighborhood. During this project, you may notice patched walls, painting supplies, or areas that are still being completed. Please know these improvements are ongoing and will take some time to finish. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue enhancing our beautiful community. Welcome Our New Hairdresser! Please join us in welcoming Sara, our new hairdresser, to Bickford of Gurnee! Her next available day will be Thursday, September 10, 2026. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Mallory. Vaccination Clinic This Fall Flu clinic consent forms were due on September 3, 2026. If you have any questions regarding flu vaccinations, please contact Alonda. Residents interested in receiving a COVID vaccine should also see Alonda for a separate consent form. Upcoming Events Adeline's 100th Birthday Celebration Join us as we celebrate a truly remarkable milestone! September 21, 2026 2:00 PM The celebration will include an Elvis performance, snacks, and birthday cake as we honor Adeline's 100th birthday. Family members are encouraged to RSVP to Mallory if they would like to attend. Scenic Drive Mallory will be taking interested residents on a scenic drive: Friday, September 11, 2026 10:00 AM Residents will return before noon. Please let Mallory know if you would like to participate. Community Garage Sale Start gathering those treasures! Thursday, October 15, 2026 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Happy Hour to Follow Residents and families are encouraged to reserve a table and sell items in exchange for donations. All proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer's Association. Please notify Mallory if you would like to participate. Walk to End Alzheimer's - Lake County The 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Lake County will be held at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville on: Saturday, September 26, 2026 Event Schedule • Registration: 9:00 AM • Opening Ceremony: 10:00 AM • Walk Begins: 10:30 AM Location Independence Grove Forest Preserve 16400 West Buckley Road Libertyville, IL 60048 Route Options • 2.5-mile main route • Short route under 1 mile The event will take place rain or shine. We encourage families, friends, and community members to join this important cause by walking, volunteering, or donating. Important Reminder About Outings Memory Care residents are welcome and encouraged to participate in community outings. However, an escort is required for participation. If you would like your loved one to attend an upcoming outing, please speak with Mallory or Christine before signing up so arrangements can be made. Thank You As always, if you have questions, concerns, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support both you and your loved ones every step of the way. Thank you for being such a valued part of the Bickford family. We appreciate the trust you place in us and look forward to creating many more meaningful moments together this fall. Warm Regards, Christine Lawrence Executive Director Bickford of Gurnee

The ladies recently had a lovely afternoon tea! Residents helped decorate and setup the tables. They got to choose between hot tea or iced tea, and there were quite a few sweets to choose from too! Resident choice is a very important aspect of Montessori here at Bickford. Whether it's an organized group activity or one-on-one, the heart of Montessori is definitely present at our branch. #Bickfordseniorliving #Bickfordofgurnee #assistedliving #montessorimemorycare

Flu Shot Reminder At Bickford, preventive health measures like annual flu vaccinations are an important part of supporting resident wellness. For older adults, the flu can lead to serious complications, and in a community setting, vaccination helps reduce the spread of illness among residents, visitors, and caregivers. We will continue offering flu vaccinations for residents this season and encourage families to return consent forms as soon as possible if you would like your loved one to participate. By taking proactive steps to prevent illness, we can work together to help keep our residents healthy, engaged, and thriving throughout the fall and winter months. Thank you for partnering with us in making wellness a priority. #HigherPath #BickfordSeniorLiving #ProactiveCare #FluPrevention #ResidentWellness

Finding the right place for a loved one is about more than care. It's about comfort, connection and peace of mind. It's about finding a place that truly feels like home. At Bickford of Gurnee, our residents enjoy private apartments, personalized support, delicious home-style meals, engaging daily activities, and meaningful friendships. From sharing stories over coffee to participating in community events, every day is filled with opportunities to live with purpose and joy. Families often tell us that the moment they walk through our doors, they feel the difference. Warm smiles, familiar faces, and a welcoming atmosphere create a sense of belonging that helps residents feel comfortable from day one. If you or someone you love has been considering assisted living, now is a great time to explore our available apartments. We'd love to show you around, answer your questions, and help you discover why so many families say Bickford truly feels like home. Schedule a tour with Savannah today and see the difference for yourself, just call 224-219-1741. #FeelsLikeHome #BickfordOfGurnee #AssistedLiving #SeniorLiving #FamilyFirst #SeniorCare #GurneeIL

Feeling Beautiful, Feeling Valued At Bickford, we believe every resident deserves opportunities to express who they are, celebrate their individuality, and continue living with purpose. As part of our Higher Path philosophy, one of our beautiful memory care residents enjoyed some special pampering today at our beauty station, where she was assisted with having her hair styled and makeup applied. While these moments may seem simple, they are deeply meaningful. Looking and feeling your best can promote confidence, dignity, self-esteem, and a sense of identity. The smile on her face as she admired her reflection reminded us that beauty routines are more than just self-care, they are an opportunity to reconnect with lifelong preferences, cherished memories, and personal pride. Through our Montessori-inspired approach to memory care, we focus on honoring each resident's abilities, choices, and interests. Experiences like selecting a favorite hairstyle, choosing a lipstick shade, or participating in familiar grooming routines help foster independence, engagement, and purpose while supporting emotional well-being. At Bickford, we don't simply care for our residents, we truly get to know them. By creating meaningful opportunities that reflect who they are and what brings them joy, we help residents continue living life with dignity, fulfillment, and a sense of belonging. It's just one of the many ways our family-centered memory care neighborhood feels like home. Because when someone feels loved, respected, and seen, their beauty shines from the inside out. #HigherPath #BickfordFamily #MontessoriInspired #MemoryCareWithPurpose #FeelingBeautiful #DignityInCare #PersonCenteredCare #PurposefulLiving #SeniorLiving #MemoryCareMoments #EveryMomentMatters #LifeAtBickford #BickfordGurnee #BickfordSeniorLiving #WeLoveMontessoriMemoryCare #Montessori #MemoryCare #Gurnee #WeLoveOurResidents

Bringing Joy Through Music At our community, meaningful moments come in many forms, and music is one of the most powerful. Recently, our Montessori Enrichment Coordinator, Mallory, shared her love of music with residents through a music therapy session filled with familiar melodies, smiles, and connection. Music has a unique way of sparking memories, encouraging engagement, and uplifting spirits. As Mallory played and interacted with residents, the room was filled with joy, participation, and meaningful moments that brought everyone together. We are grateful for dedicated team members like Mallory, who create enriching experiences that support the well-being of our residents and make each day a little brighter.