There is a certain kind of magic that happens when the music kicks in and the living room transforms into a dance floor. At Bickford assisted living in Rockford we believe staying active isn’t just about exercise. It’s about celebrating life and these smiles say it all! This isn’t just a dance. It’s a perfect reflection of the Montessori Lifestyle we embrace every day by focusing on: social connection-building meaningful relationships through shared movement purposeful living-encouraging independence and the freedom to express jo inclusion-ensuring everyone, regardless of ability has a place in the circle. When you foster an environment of choice and community every day offers a new reason to get up and groove!

I am thrilled to announce the newest member of the Bickford Assisted Living in Rockford family. Please help me welcome Giselle Roda, our new Health and Wellness Director. Giselle comes to us from sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and is happy to make the Midwest her home. Yes… you read that right, Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida International University and has been a nurse for 30 years. Giselle began her nursing career as an adult ICU nurse. Over the years, she has also developed extensive experience in utilization management and healthcare operations. In her spare time, she enjoys wreath making and other crafting. Giselle is excited to be a part of the Bickford family and looks forward to making a difference in the lives of our residents. Her offiice is located on the main floor right off of the living room. Stop and introduce yourself the next time you are here. Welcome to the family Giselle!

EFFECTS OF HYPERGLYCEMIA ON THE RED BLOOD CELLS Have you ever wondered “what happens to my blood when my blood sugar is high?” Well that’s a great question. Let’s talk about it. There are many effects on our bodies as a result of high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia. For today, we’ll focus on the red blood cells. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen throughout our body. They also carry back carbon dioxide, a waste, to the lungs to exchange waste for fresh oxygen. Red blood cells are also flexible which allows them to get down to the smallest areas of our body. When our blood sugar is high, our blood becomes thicker and stickier. The stickiness makes it difficult for the red blood cells to move forward and causes them to stick to our blood vessels. The red blood cells also become stiffer. Both of these effects impact the ability of the red blood cells to do their job. This leads to many complications that diabetic patients experience. This includes things like numbness and tingling of fingers and toes and poor wound healing. Here at Bickford of Rockford, our Montessori inspired lifestyle and clinical team help our residents to live their best life by education of residents and their families/friends on their health conditions and providing assistance with managing their health concerns. Let us walk with you to better health.

Exciting News at Bickford of Rockford Assisted Living! We’re thrilled to share our Branch has officially launched a brand-new POS electronic ordering system to make mealtimes smoother, faster, and even more accurate for our residents. This upgrade helps is reduce errors, improve efficiency, and ensure everyone gets exactly what they want-just the way they want it. A huge Thank you to Joe, our favorite Bread Basket trainer, for being onsite to guide us through the new process and make sure our team feels confident and ready to go. His support made all the difference. Here’s ro better service, happier meal times and continued innovation for our residents.

Falls at Bickford of Rockford decreased by 38.7% from Q3 to Q4. This remarkable progress reflects the dedication of our nursing team, caregivers, and leadership who consistently apply Higher Path principles in real, practical ways. Over the past quarter, Rockford strengthened several proactive care strategies, including: Enhanced post-fall root cause analysis Targeted mobility and balance support based on individual needs Consistent environmental safety rounds Improved shift‑to‑shift communication to monitor high‑risk residents Increased collaboration with families to reinforce personalized care plans Each improvement is more than a number — it's a safer environment, fewer injuries, and more opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged in the daily life of our community. We are incredibly proud of the Rockford team for their commitment to continuous improvement and for embodying what the Higher Path truly represents: safer outcomes, smarter care, and a stronger quality of life for every resident we serve. We look forward to continuing this momentum and sharing even more successes in the months ahead. #higherpath #AssistedLiving #MemoryCare #BickfordSeniorLiving #BickfordRockford #Bickford #Seniors

Bonnie is a creator at heart, someone whose imagination naturally flows into everything she touches. Painting is her true passion, and she brings an unmistakable style to her work. Her brushstrokes carry movement, depth, and emotion, giving each piece a sense of life and presence. Creativity isn’t just something Bonnie does. At Bickford of Rockford Assisted Living- we embrace the diversity of ur resident's needs and desires. It is part of our Montessori Inspired programming. We’re glad she shared her talents with us. #Assistedliving #Bickford #seniors

Movement is the only way you have of affecting the world around you. The body will become better at whatever you do, or don’t do. If you don’t move your body will make you better at not moving. If you move, your body will allow more movement. #AssistedLiving #BickfordSeniorLiving #Bickford #Seniors

Socials are a big part of the Rockford Branch. It really is the best way to wind down reconnect and reminisce with each other, sharing laughter and experiences with each other. #assistedliving

Handmade ornaments are not only fun to make but also give a sense of nostalgia for Christmases past. The ornaments made here in Rockford also have a slight cinnamon sent throughout the Branch #assistedliving

*Keeping Our Community Healthy with Higher Path * Winnebago County is seeing a rise in respiratory illnesses, including influenza. At Bickford of Rockford, we’re taking proactive steps to keep our residents safe through our Higher Path program: -Universal masking & enhanced infection control - Support for flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations How you can help: -Wear a mask when visiting -Wash your hands or use sanitizer -Stay home if you’re feeling sick Together, we can protect the ones we love! #BickfordSeniorLiving #HigherPath #ResidentCare #StayHealthy