Treemont Retirement Blog

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Business Manager Anny Ortiz

Being admitted to an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home in Houston can be a stressful event. Not only are you or your loved one not well, but there is a morass of rules surrounding what your insurance will cover. That is where Business Manager Anny Ortiz compassionately and knowledgeably steps in to guide your family. Anny’s daily responsibilities include:

~  Billing and Collections for Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance companies and private pay residents.

~  Verifying Benefits. Anny creates and maintains claims for all residents, including financial folders for all admissions.

~  Advice to Residents on Financial Questions. Anny keeps residents informed of benefits or changes and provides options to them when questions arise or their insurance services are ending.  Anny investigates questions directly with the insurance or financial entity, informing the resident or family of necessary steps to achieve a positive final outcome.

~  Support of Residents. Anny is available to respond to resident questions and help them resolve concerns regarding benefits.

~  Explaining Medicare. Anny contacts residents’ insurance

by Jane Zimmerman, Treemont Resident

We have many residents at Treemont with talent and great happenings and achievements in their lives, but newbie Charles Stephens can claim fame in show business.  A talented singer and pianist, Charles was also a well-known name in radio in his home town Kansas City, Missouri, at KPRS Broadcasting Corp.; New York City and Washington D.C.  He was both a disc jockey and recording artist, appearing with his band, the Skylarks, in night clubs and other live gigs, like the small Madison Square Garden in NYC, where fans came to hear them and dance.

The Skylarks are all seniors now, and have lost touch, but Charles continues to play piano, though he no longer sings due to his recent open-heart surgery at the Michael E. DeBakey

by Jane Zimmerman, Treemont Resident

There were many residents who came to Treemont due to Hurricane Harvey.  When the City declared her neighborhood as a boat ramp for boats to rescue dogs and people, Arden Thornton had to leave.  She came to Treemont before the storm ended and was taken in as a tenant, and provided the necessities she needed through an emergency donation program here in the activity department.  She smiled when the volunteers outfitted her with new clothes, and said, “They all match!”  Since then Arden has become a pleasant addition to our community.  She decided to sell her home and make our senior living in Houston community her permanent residence, though she plans to travel to Europe extensively in the future.

Arden was born in Orlando, Florida. She attended Florida State University, majoring in French and Spanish, and minoring in music and education. 

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home ADON Simone Johnson

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) Simone Johnson plays a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of Treemont Health Care Center’s nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living community. Simone Johnson’s primary goal is to enhance the efficiency of the nursing staff.

Simone’s responsibilities include the development of optimal resident care plans, evaluation of the different systems followed during the treatment, planning rotations for the staff and making sure that each and every patient is receiving the required amount of attention. Says Administrator Cynthia Lamison, “Simone is a perfect pair for our DON Sheree Wade, she assists in quality monitoring, training and mentoring of our staff and assures our residents our well taken care of.  Simone is hands on, making a minimum two supervisory rounds in a day.

Originally from Dallas, Simone came to Houston to get her nursing degree at Prairie View A&M University. “Nursing school has always been a passion of mine. I knew that I wanted to be a nurse ever since I was in high school,” says Simone. In 2011 my grandfather passed away from cancer and while we

Healthy Tips for Seniors: Mental Health Awareness

Just as physical health is important for one’s overall well being, mental health plays an important role as well. Often mental health is something that many do not like to talk about, and therefore will delay getting help.  It is estimated that 20% of people age 55 years or older experience some type of mental health concern. That is roughly 1 in 5 individuals over the age of 55. Addressing any potential mental health issues can improve your or your loved one’s quality of life.

Older adults are more likely to report physical symptoms rather then psychiatric symptoms, and will often seek care from their primary physician more often than from a psychiatrist/psychologist. Knowing risk factors that can play a role in mental health, can aid in identifying symptoms quicker and receiving the appropriate care.