Bill, the Kitchen Manager, has a great connection with each of the residents but he has a really special relationship with “Queen Bee,” Louise. For Louise’s 100th birthday, Bill wanted to make sure it was extra special so he helped organize an awesome celebration that the whole Branch could enjoy with Louise. He made her favorite chocolate cake with chocolate icing and gave her a special stuffed animal that she hasn’t let go of since. She couldn’t stop smiling all day! 

Woody has a hard time remembering that Bickford is his home now. He is constantly looking for a way to get out and is very concerned about his truck that, he thinks, is just sitting outside in our parking lot. Our Maintenance Director, Joe, is very patient with Woody and takes him out daily to walk the building to reassure him that his truck is in the shop and is not in the parking lot. Not only that but Joe also looks for different projects for Woody to help him with. Woody helps Joe with different errands like picking up balloons, planting in the garden or flowerbeds, and decorating the outdoors for fall. Joe always makes sure that Woody feels like he has a purpose in his home here at Bickford.

Mallie has become a well-known face in Mary B’s and John has grown very close to her. As soon as he wakes up or needs help with something he begins calling, “Mallie, Mallie!”  Mallie quickly responds to John saying, “I’m coming, Pops.” She feels so touched that John has connected with her in this way. Recently, when John was healing from an unfortunate fall, he leaned on Mallie and asked her, “Am I going to be okay Mallie?”  And she said, “Of course you are Pops.”  She sat with him, encouraged him and helped to nurse him back to health over the following days. The compassion and love she showed him as well as the trust and love he placed in her hands was truly beautiful to see.

Ms. Gwen loves music, especially old Baptist hymns. When our BFMs saw that she was having a difficult time adjusting to her new home at Bickford, they spent time learning about her and some of her favorite things. They presented Ms. Gwen with a CD player and her favorite hymns on CD. Ms. Gwen’s mood immediately lifted and now she sings daily.