Treemont Retirement Blog

Senior Living Houston: Welcome Executive Director Rachel Unverzagt!

We are delighted to welcome Executive Director Rachel Unverzagt to the Treemont family. Rachel brings a wealth of experience in all levels of senior living — independent living, assisted, memory care and nursing — to her new position. For the past 21 years, Rachel has been an Administrator/Executive Director or Regional Director of Operations for communities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. She also served as Executive Director of Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence. This depth of senior living experience is especially helpful to the Treemont Campus and our Continuum of Care.

Rachel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Long term Care from South West Texas State University (now known as Texas State University) and moved seamlessly from Activity Director, Housekeeping Supervisor and Admissions Coordinator roles, to the Administrator positions at a Rehab Tech Hospital, an Outpatient Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing. She has done it all!

Many of you have met Rachel, initially hired this summer as a consultant to help with marketing projects. Rachel brings a personal touch to her daily interactions, enjoying interacting with residents and families in a way that instills confidence that she cares about the well-being of our residents. Says Rachel, “I love hearing about seniors’ lives and their contributions to their families and community. I appreciate their history and love helping make their lives better.”

Owner Tom Witt says ,”Many residents and families have developed a strong bond with Rodney, and we are grateful for his strong leadership for almost 10 years. I am excited, though, about the depth of experience Rachel brings in senior living, her calm temperament and keen problem solving abilities. For those of you who have already interacted with Rachel, I believe you will share my enthusiasm for her warmth and many talents.” Of this new opportunity, Rachel says, “I am so excited to join the Treemont family. I have had the privilege to meet so many wonderful residents, families and staff. It is an honor to serve Treemont residents. Looking forward to meeting everyone and spending many years together.”

Rachel is a native Houstonian. Her father passed away when she was 22, and her mother passed away two years ago from Alzheimer's disease. Rachel has a sister who lives nearby that devotes her time to bettering Children’s lives as a counselor.  Rachel has been married 20 years this coming August to her husband Emile who is the Program Director at Amazing Place, an Alzheimer’s Day Center in the Galleria area. Rachel’s mom lived with Rachel and her husband for several years, and went to work daily with Emile, participating joyfully in his Alzheimer’s adult day care program.

Rachel and Emile have two children. Mia, just graduated from high school and is enrolled in Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX, and 15-year old Landon is a devoted year round soccer player who attends Friendswood High School. Both kids are named after Professional Soccer players (they love soccer!) and dad Emile played in college and post-college in Europe.  Rachel loves spending time with her family traveling, watching her son play soccer, Pilates, and riding their motorcycle with her husband, with her favorite trip with her husband in the Austrian Alps. Rachel was attracted to Treemont by the family environment. Please welcome Rachel Unverzagt as the new leader of the Treemont team. She can be reached at Rachel@Treemont.com. Click here to print this as a flyer.

To learn more, read Assisted Living Options Explored. Or to join us for a free lunch and tour, call Lupe or Linda at (713) 783-6820. This Houston retirement home is part of a CCRC campus. A CCRC or Continuing Care Retirement Community typical includes a continuum of care for their residents, that includes nursing homes in Houston (skilled nursing and rehab), traditional assisted living) and independent living care. To learn more about this nursing home Houston care, please call Kelli Walleck LeLacheur at 713-783-4100 or 713.816.2033. 

I moved to Treemont 14 years ago, when I was 80 years old. I’m now 94 and I have to say this was one of the best decisions of my life. I started my journey by talking with Resident Counselor Ann Lawler. I was fortunate to have had the financial wherewithal to be able to pick wherever I wanted to live. I chose Treemont over a nearby CCRC that had a six figure buy-in because that community was “beautiful” but Treemont felt like “home.”

I’m a long-time bridge player and I have made some fabulous new friends playing bridge. We play bridge in the library in the afternoons and sometimes after dinner until 10pm once we get going. My friendship with other bridge players has been heartwarming. I feel like having contemporary friends is important!

I also enjoy going to the dining room 3 times most days and having family dining style meals with friends. I enjoy the people and camaraderie of my neighbors

Senior Living Houston: Dining Room's Aurora Reyna Sandoval

A key reason seniors choose retirement living is a desire to have the option of three meals a day, seven days a week. This helps residents to stay healthy and also creates casual social opportunities as part of residents’ daily living experience. Since most Treemont residents dine three times daily at our community, it is extra important that our Dining Staff make dining a pleasant and enjoyable experience. Naturally, food preparation is important. But a key ingredient to a wonderful dining atmosphere is also the attitude of staff. Dining Service Manager Chef James Renshaw works to hire capable team members that are in tune with customer service. Recently, Aurora Reyna Sandoval was hired as a server. It soon became apparent that Aurora had the personality and patience to take on the role of answering the Dining Room phone.

Resident experiences are the best testimonial. As Resident Ann Oyen says, “You are the crème of the crop. Thank you for being so patient with me!” During the COVID19 pandemic, Aurora took on the key role of responding to resident dining orders, a

The rise of violence against older Americans makes this population particularly vulnerable. Age and deteriorating health can compromise older adults’ ability to protect themselves from danger, making them prime targets for scams, burglaries and physical assault. Senior living communities tend to offer more security against these threats. In fact, many are equipped with locked doors, security guards, gates and/or security systems. 

Increased security can be very beneficial to older adults who may not live in the safest neighborhoods or near family that can check on them regularly. Thankfully, in addition to the security measures mentioned above, living in a senior living community typically means that older adults will be in close proximity to neighbors and staff who can look out for them. Other benefits that provide peace of mind include the availability of extra care options, inside corridors, safety checks and an emergency call system. Senior living resident Maggie talks about why she feels safe in a retirement community.

Community

When you retire, lose a mate or have little in common with your youthful neighbors, life can get lonely. Avoiding loneliness and isolation is especially

They're called the 'golden years' for  reason. We can now do all those things we never had time for in the past. Retirement has its rewards....whether you finally pick up that crochet needle, build a birdhouse, or just want to develop new hobbies.

Independent living for seniors in Houston has so many options and activities that stimulate the mind and keep hands busy. It's never too late to learn something new. Here are a few easy hobbies to put on your to-do list.

Outdoors

Simple modes of physical activity for adults prevent some of the health problems that crop up as we age. It also helps our muscles stay strong for those day-to-day tasks. You’ll sleep better after enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

Gardening - Outdoor gardening in raised beds or containers improves motor skills while enhancing the five senses. Plant

For many seniors and senior family caregivers, there comes a time when finding an alternative senior living option or assisted living community becomes imperative. Whether it’s to provide help with basic everyday activities or simply to provide more connection, making sure that you find the right new home is crucial for that senior’s health, happiness and quality of life.

It’s why Treemont Retirement Community wants you to understand the five “C’s” that every senior and/or family should consider when weighing the options for senior care and living.

 Cost

 Understanding costs and having a plan to cover them is a crucial factor when you’re searching for the right senior living option. One way that seniors and caregivers can offset assisted living expenses is to sell the senior’s current home. If you currently own a home, you can look up local home prices and information about the market, to see if this is a viable option for your family.

Average expenses and options for paying for senior care and