Barbara and Spencer Gould have lived all around the country during their almost 60 years together. They met and lived in Northfield, Minnesota while attending Carleton College before moving to Kirkwood, Missouri, then Puerto Rico, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Ephraim, Wisconsin, and finally back to St. Louis. However, their most recent move was unlike all the rest.

Getting the Care They DeserveGardenBarbaraGould_DWP©15-4797

After spending 26 years in Spencer’s family’s summer home in Wisconsin, Spencer, who has dementia, was ready to return to his hometown of Kirkwood, Missouri. However, during the couple’s visit to Bethesda Gardens, an independent retirement living community, they were advised that Spencer would be better suited to live at Bethesda Dilworth, a skilled nursing home community. There, he could get the care he deserves.

Knowing it was best for her husband, Barbara moved into Bethesda Gardens while Spencer moved into Bethesda Dilworth. Although it hasn’t been easy living separately since August 2014, Barbara says Bethesda has done everything it can to help her and Spencer with this transition.

“He’s happy because he has people there to take care of him, and he’s doing every activity he can,” Barbara said. “Whereas before [in Wisconsin], he wasn’t doing anything, and it was hard on both of us.”

“Everyone Is So Friendly”

Barbara is also happy with her life at Bethesda Gardens. “I liked Bethesda Gardens because everybody was so friendly—both the residents and the people in charge,” she says. She has made friends with other residents and enjoys all the activities Bethesda offers, including:

  • Exercise classes
  • Bridge
  • Trivia
  • Bus trips to various places around St. Louis

In addition to staying busy at Bethesda Gardens and visiting her four adult children, six grandkids and two great-grandkids who are scattered across the country, Barbara is the secretary for the Twenty-Five Gardeners, a gardening club in Kirkwood. She is also a member of the choir at Kirkwood United Methodist Church.

Want to learn more about Bethesda’s senior living communities? Contact us today for more information.

Whether you choose independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, your experience at Bethesda will be filled with compassionate care and meaningful connections. If you are considering independent living, we encourage you to tour our communities, including Bethesda Barclay House – Clayton, Bethesda Gardens – Kirkwood, Bethesda Orchard – Webster Groves, Bethesda Terrace – South County, Village North Retirement Community – Florissant, and The Oaks at Bethesda Villas – Kirkwood/Webster. If you have any questions about our non-profit senior living communities, contact us today.
Life at Bethesda Senior Living Skilled Nursing
Barbara and Spencer Gould resident story testimonials