Treemont Retirement Blog

Senior Living Houston: Welcome Resident Counselor Sam Freeman!

Moving to a retirement community is a significant life change. Listening and understanding the senior’s situation and desires is paramount. That is what distinguishes Resident Counselor Sam Freeman in her current role where she interacts with families and residents to be a resource in their senior living search.

Sam says, “I like working with seniors because I appreciate being an advocate for the residents I can help at this stage in their life. It’s a really fulfilling experience.

Sam, a Houston native and graduate of Chavez High School, initially started working for a skilled nursing facility as a weekend activities assistant. She was given other opportunities which she happily accepted and excelled at—as a concierge, then central supply, and finally the Admissions Director at Park Manor Skilled Nursing.

“What really attracted me to work for Treemont was that it was quite different from my previous job. However I was completely ready to start a new venture. From the very second I walked in for my first interview I felt welcomed by the staff and residents; the smallest of interactions I had with everyone while waiting in the lobby made my decision that much easier and excited to work here,” says Sam.

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 bondwith 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.

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

Senior Living Houston: Business Manager Star Flores

A smooth operating business office, balancing “the books,” listening to residents and employees and helping both start off on the right foot are key parts of a business office manager. Barbara McNeal will be joining her husband in retirement at the end of February. Until then, she will be training a new employee to receive the hand-off of a very busy business office. Thus, we are now welcoming Business Office Manager Star Flores to our Treemont family.

Star says, “Working in the retirement industry has been so rewarding. I appreciate my resident’s life stories and wisdom. The fun and knowledge working with this population is unmatched” In her new role, Star will take over resident billing, community finances and human resources.

Treemont Management believes that a top-quality Business Office Manager is important in our day to day operations for both residents and employees and having an “open door” policy is key. Executive Director, Rodney Brooks said of Star, “We are excited to have such a bright Star

Senior Living Houston: Maintenance Worker Cezar Garcia

A key reason seniors choose retirement living is a desire to no longer have to worry about maintenance and upkeep of their home. Treemont is known for the care and attention to resident’s maintenance needs. We are delighted to welcome Cezar Garcia to our Treemont Maintenance Department. He is the newest member of the maintenance team. Cezar’s duties include responding to work orders to fix resident apartment issues involving: plumbing, air conditioning, garbage disposal or TV issues. Sometimes he receives a request to hang a resident’s picture.

Treemont residents have this to say about moving to a senior living community such as Treemont.

• No more upkeep of a large home!
• No more chores or housekeeping!
• No more maintenance!

Senior Living Houston: Resident Counselor Keri Shaw

Patience and good listening skills are key attributes of a resident counselor, working with families and residents seeking to find a senior community to spend their later years. This is what distinguishes Resident Counselor Keri Shaw. Executive Director Rodney Brooks lured Keri out of retirement 3 years ago to work weekends to provide 24/7 customer service to our future residents. Rodney says, “Keri was retired from an accomplished career in the senior living industry, including as a General Manager in Oregon. I saw that Keri had the skill set to effectively help guide seniors in their retirement living decision.” 

Keri says, “I like helping people. Making a decision to move from one’s own home into a community is a big decision. Sometimes it has become necessary for many different reasons. I try to help the seniors and their families because usually everyone

Senior Living Houston: Housekeeping Director Evelyn Arriola

The beauty of retirement living is that life is maintenance-free, with daily tasks such as housekeeping a task of the past, as this service is included in Treemont residents’ monthly rent. We are fortunate to have Housekeeping Director Evelyn Arriola join our leadership team. Evelyn brings with her a strong background in housekeeping management that will provide renewed energy and structure to our program.

The Housekeeping Supervisor manages a team of about 15 to 18 staff responsible for taking care of Treemont Independent Living common areas and resident apartments units plus supervising our nursing home commercial laundry facility. With Covid-19, there is also the extra work involved in protection cleaning — virus prevention that is added to daily tasks. The goal is to keep our community in a clean and orderly condition, in support of our residents.

Senior Living Houston: Activity Director Rose Marie Lau

Social interaction, activities, companionship, new friends, and safety are key parts of community engagement. Seniors choose to join the Treemont family for those very reasons. Monica Muniz moved to Corpus Christi to start her dream of owning a food business. Thus, we are now welcoming Activity Director Rose Marie Lau to our Treemont family.

Rose says, “I know the importance of stimulating and engaging residents to partake in activities such as exercise, outings, socials, and more which are beneficial to the well-being of our residents. I like to be the “helping hand.” In her new role, Rose will implement new and existing activities to maintain a diverse range of programming. 

Treemont Management believes that a top-quality Activity Program is essential to attracting new residents and keeping our current ones happy and engaged. We believe that social interaction is a key component of a long, healthy life. At a retirement community, you

Senior Living Houston: Driver Jessica Hinojosa provides support during COVID-19

Transportation service is often a key reason Treemont residents choose to move to a retirement community. Jessica Hinojosa joined the Treemont Transportation Team two years ago in January to provide additional support to Mark Thomas in providing transportation services for our residents.

What is the role of our Transportation driving team? Treemont offers scheduled transportation for: (1) doctor’s appointments within a 5-7 mile radius; (2) grocery store and Wal-Mart shopping trips; (3) pharmacy pickups and (4) personal trips such as to the bank. With about 300 residents, residents are asked to call the Front Desk (or leave a message for Mark or Jessica) one week in advance, to reserve a spot on the Treemont van or car. With fewer outside excursions these days, Jessica is also making sure all visitors answer the “coronavirus questionnaire” and get their temperature checked.

Senior Living Houston: Housekeeper Esther Renteria supports residents

The beauty of retirement living is that life is maintenance-free, with daily tasks such as housekeeping a task of the past, as this service is included in Treemont’s monthly rent. We are fortunate to have Esther Renteria tending to our residents’ apartments.  With her friendly demeanor and great work ethic, Esther is a valued employee.

Esther is one of the many long-tenured employees (31 years!) that support our residents. Esther is the housekeeper for many of our Building A residents. Her duties also include upkeep of common areas in the community. Each Treemont resident is assigned to a housekeeper to do weekly housekeeping in their apartment, as part of Treemont’s all-inclusive monthly senior apartment rental. This covers vacuuming, dusting, wiping down counters and cleaning the bathroom. Extra services include weekly change of bed linens