In 1965, the late Barbara Grossberg opened Delmar Gardens. Her road to success was a remarkable one. Growing up in Hungary, she was taught to respect the older people who visited her father’s sanitarium. A Holocaust survivor, she spent her teenage years in the concentration camps Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen and Dachau. Following the end of World War II, she fled Hungary along with her husband, Henry, and their two children to escape the invading U.S.S.R. They settled in University City where Grossberg began caring for local seniors, and her passion and dedication led to
Delmar Gardens.
Today, Delmar Gardens remains family-owned and continues to serve St. Louis seniors with the same mission of love, care and understanding that Barbara Grossberg founded the company on. With 60 years of experience in senior living, it provides quality care, services and amenities to allow people to spend their golden years with the dignity and respect they deserve. Along with in-home services, Delmar Gardens senior living communities offer a full continuum of care, ranging from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing.
With so many senior living options, Delmar Gardens sets itself apart with the dedication of its staff. Across the country, the average annual turnover rate in the industry is 60%, but that is not the case for Delmar Gardens communities. More than 50% of staff have five or more years with the company, and around 30% have 10 years or more. “You won’t find employee longevity like this anywhere else, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic causing so many people to leave senior care,” notes Richard Taylor, an administrator at Delmar Gardens West. “Delmar Gardens truly is a family. Every employee, resident and their families are a part of it.”
Delmar Gardens West is the second largest Medicaid facility in the state of Missouri. All of the community’s accommodations are the same regardless of whether a patient is private pay or receiving assistance—a shining example of the company’s continued work to ensure all seniors have quality living options. Delmar Gardens’ continuity of care model also offers its residents and their families greater peace of mind. The community can meet their changing needs, whether it’s a temporary transition or a permanent change. Spouses that require different care levels also can continue to live on the same campus and visit one another. “Even if you move to assisted living or skilled nursing, you can stay connected with staff and other residents,” says Kim Liefer, director administrator of Chesterfield Villas.
Every resident at Delmar Gardens communities has access to a wide variety of amenities, activities and services. There is daily entertainment, physical activity, outings in the community and stimulating clubs and classes. Many programs are tailored to residents’ unique interests and experiences, including clubs like crochet and drawing, which are led by them. “Our programming makes sure to include our residents in nursing care as well,” explains Vicky Busso, director administrator of Garden Villas. “Along with clubs and entertainment at home, they also get to enjoy outings, like to local restaurants or Cardinals games. We take every opportunity for them to have fun and stay engaged.”
To learn more, don’t miss Delmar Gardens’ Progressive Open House. It will be held April 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at its West County and Chesterfield locations.
Delmar Gardens has been serving seniors in St. Louis since 1965. Its continuum of care and services ranges from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing. Pictured on the cover: Vicky Busso, director administrator of Garden Villas; Kim Liefer, director administrator of Chesterfield Villas; Richard Taylor, administrator for Delmar Gardens West. For more information, call 636.733.7000, visit delmargardens.com or email info@delmargardens.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured at the top: Kim Liefer, Richard Taylor, Vicky Busso
Photo: Tim Parker Photography
