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Bickford Cottage Fort Dodge

Bickford Cottage Fort Dodge is an assisted living and memory care community in Fort Dodge, IA.

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Bickford Cottage Fort Dodge

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  • Interior

    A cozy dining room setup with a wooden table and chairs, complemented by a large decorative cabinet and framed artwork in the background.

  • Decor

    A cozy living room with a fireplace and elegant decor.

  • Living Room

    A cozy living room corner featuring a floral sofa with decorative pillows, a wall clock, and a wooden drawer unit.

  • Bedroom

    A cozy bedroom with fresh flowers and a neatly arranged bed.

  • Windows

    A cozy residential porch with plants and hanging baskets.

  • Dining

    An inviting dining area with neatly set tables and comfortable seating.

  • Landscaping

    A cozy backyard patio with a table and chairs set under a teal umbrella, surrounded by lush greenery.

  • Bathroom

    A luxurious bathtub setup with a book and wine, perfect for relaxation.

  • Outdoor Seating

    A cozy porch with wooden rocking chairs and colorful cushions.

  • Natural Light

    A cozy living room filled with patterned armchairs, decorative plants, and warm natural lighting.

  • Salon

    A cozy salon interior with stylish decor and seating.

  • Potted Plant

    A cozy living room with an armchair, sofa, and decorative elements.

1536 20th Avenue N, Fort Dodge, IA 50501

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.5 from 26 reviews
5 stars
21
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 stars
3

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2025

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Overall Review of Bickford Cottage Fort Dodge

common 12 reviews mention this

Staff care feels responsive

Residents describe staff members who stay engaged and respond when needs change.

Many residents and families say the staff provides attentive, supportive care and keeps families in the loop when conditions shift. Several comments highlight staff being knowledgeable, friendly, and “loving,” including frequent communication and help with day-to-day needs. The community also offers medication management, activities of daily living assistance, and a 24-hour call system, which aligns with the way residents describe help being available when it matters.

common 4 reviews mention this

Home-style dining stands out

Dining is repeatedly described as delicious and home-cooked.

Food comes up often as a positive, with residents and visitors saying the meals are tasty and feel home-cooked. One review also mentions being accommodated for a lunch visit by putting them in a separate dining room. The community offers restaurant-style dining and supports special diets like diabetes-related and special dietary restrictions, matching what residents mention about food choices.

  • A cozy dining room setup with a wooden table and chairs, complemented by a large decorative cabinet and framed artwork in the background.
  • An inviting dining area with neatly set tables and comfortable seating.
  • A beautifully set dining table with blue accents and a welcoming atmosphere.
common 4 reviews mention this

Clean, well kept spaces

Reviews consistently mention a clean, organized environment.

Several reviewers say the facility looks well kept, clean, and comfortable, including comments about the grounds and overall presentation. Others mention cleanliness during visits and say they can stop in and still have a good experience. The community provides housekeeping services and has a garden and outdoor space, which complements the frequent “clean and fresh” impressions in the reviews.

common 2 reviews mention this

Activities bring residents together

Residents describe community activities and events they enjoy.

Reviewers mention scheduled activities and offer examples like seasonal events and group participation. One review calls out “great activities,” while another highlights resident fun and community-oriented activities. The community lists community-sponsored activities, resident-run activities, and scheduled daily activities, which fits those repeated observations.

caveat 2 reviews mention this

Staffing levels are a concern

Some residents report staffing is minimal and hard to rely on.

Two negative reviews raise concerns about staffing levels, including promises made to families and a lack of enough coverage. One commenter also says they struggle to reach leadership during business hours. These complaints directly contrast with the staff support described in other reviews, and may reflect inconsistent experiences depending on timing and staffing capacity.

caveat 1 reviews mention this

Care decisions felt overreaching

One review describes serious concerns about how decisions were handled without family input.

A negative review says a head nurse convinced a family member to move without consulting the family and later took steps the reviewer felt were inappropriate, including a “no contact” rule. The same review describes missing personal items and dissatisfaction with how follow-up was handled. Because this is only raised in one review, it should be treated as a specific concern rather than a pattern.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Housing

  • 49 resident community capacity 49 resident community capacity

Types of Care

  • Assisted Living Assisted Living
  • Memory Care Memory Care

Amenities

  • Beauty salon Beauty salon
  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Garden Garden
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Kitchenette Kitchenette
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Restaurant-style dining Restaurant-style dining
  • Small library Small library
  • Telephone Telephone
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Care Services

  • 24-hour call system 24-hour call system
  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Mental wellness program Mental wellness program
  • Mild cognitive impairment Mild cognitive impairment
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions
  • Specialized memory care programming Specialized memory care programming

Dining

  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Activities

  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Resident-run activities Resident-run activities
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities

Nearby Places of Interest

Restaurants

  • Village Inn (0.1 miles)
  • Sports Page Bar & Grill (0.3 miles)
  • Jethro's Ice Cream & Grub (1.4 miles)
  • Sneakers Eatery and Pub (1.5 miles)
  • Dariette (1.5 miles)
  • TC Mae's Family Diner (1.6 miles)
  • Dairette (1.6 miles)

Places of Worship

  • Southern Baptist Convention (0.5 miles)
  • WW Studio (0.6 miles)
  • Northfield Church of Christ (0.6 miles)
  • Seventh-Day Adventist Church (0.9 miles)
  • General Conference Of Seventh-Day Adventists (0.9 miles)
  • Trinity United Methodist Church (1 miles)
  • Iowa Mens Ministries (1.2 miles)

Transportation

  • U-Haul (1 miles)
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.6 miles)
  • Air Choice One (1.8 miles)
  • Fort Dodge Regional Airport (FOD) (1.8 miles)
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.1 miles)
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car (7.2 miles)

Parks

  • Izaak Walton Park (1.2 miles)
  • Loomis Park (1.3 miles)
  • Hawley Lions Park (1.5 miles)
  • Rosedale Rapids Park (1.6 miles)
  • Fort Dodge Parks & Recreation (1.7 miles)
  • City Square Park (1.7 miles)
  • Badger Lake At Kennedy Park (4 miles)

Pharmacies

  • Disco Drug Medical Arts Building (1.3 miles)
  • Daniel Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
  • Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Physicians

  • Trimark Physicians Group (1.3 miles)
  • Ismail Al-Ani MD (1.4 miles)
  • Fort Dodge Dermatology Clinic (1.5 miles)
  • Mid-Iowa Dermatology (1.6 miles)
  • Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center (1.8 miles)
  • Psychiatry Lee & Associates (2.1 miles)
  • Trimark Family Practice (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

  • Fort Dodge Veterans Administration Clinic (1.4 miles)
  • Urology Associates PC (2.4 miles)
  • Unitypoint Health (2.5 miles)
  • Physician's Office Building (2.5 miles)
  • UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center (2.6 miles)
  • Trinity Regional Medical Center (2.6 miles)

Cafes

  • Harty's Caddy Shack Cafe (1.5 miles)
  • Starbucks (1.8 miles)
  • A Pinch Of Love Cafe (2.1 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

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Related Resources

  • does medicaid pay for assisted livingUnderstanding Medicaid Coverage for Assisted Living: A Comprehensive Guide

    The guide outlines the complexities of Medicaid coverage for assisted living, highlighting significant state-to-state variations, limited coverage often restricted to personal care services, and the existence of specialized waivers for certain needs like memory care. It advises families to consult local Medicaid offices for options while emphasizing the importance of understanding state-specific regulations and facility policies.

  • does medicaid pay for assisted livingHow and When Medicaid May Cover Assisted Living Costs

    Medicaid coverage for assisted living varies by state and is primarily available to low-income individuals, with eligibility dependent on strict income and asset limits. Some states offer HCBS waivers for specific services in assisted living, but families must generally cover room and board costs, and should verify facility acceptance of Medicaid while considering potential waiting lists.

  • assisted living waiver programA Detailed Exploration of Assisted Living Medicaid Waivers Across the United States

    Medicaid waivers for assisted living services provide vital support for seniors and individuals with disabilities in need of long-term care, with varying state-specific eligibility criteria and benefits. These waivers cover personal care and case management but often do not fully cover room and board, leading to waiting lists for many applicants.

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