Treemont Retirement Blog

Treemont Honors Residents' Rehab Achievements, Return to Independence

Seniors main motivation for a move to a retirement community is to seek a more supportive environment, with meals, housekeeping, transportation to doctor’s appointments and shopping, activities, entertainment and an overall maintenance-free lifestyle. Seniors might be living in a home that is hard to maintain, especially after a spouse has passed. Mom might no longer drive and feel isolated — no longer able to get to church or play bridge or mah jongg with friends as she used to. It’s also a plus to have staff and fellow residents around to keep an eye on one another. 

Because Treemont Retirement Community has multiple care levels on campus, there’s more peace of mind, knowing that if you have a health setback, you can get a helping hand through Treemont’s on premise home

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Activity Director Jeanette Mitchell

As Activities Director for Treemont Health Care Center (HCC), Jeannette Mitchell’s job is multi-faceted. Jeannette develops all activities programming for assisted living and skilled nursing residents. Programs are designed to enhance resident’s overall well-being. Jeanette’s monthly calendar of events reflects a balance of activities that are reflective of physical, social, sensory stimulation, parties and special events. Jeannette also manages the HCC volunteer program.

Jeanette is a Certified Activities Director with a specialty in activities for residents at different levels of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Jeannette also serves as a valued member of the Treemont Interdisciplinary Team, representing the activities and social department as a clinician.  She assesses residents in this area.

Jeannette is new to her Activity Director position, but not to Treemont. Jeannette is one of Treemont’s notoriously long-tenured staff, serving our residents as a CNA since 2008!! “I attended Texas Health School and performed my training and clinical at Treemont. I fell in love with the residents and I’ve been here ever since.  On her

by Jane Zimmerman, Treemont Resident

Pleasantly smiling resident Bobbie Fellers is a happy, satisfied Treemont keeper.  She and her husband Reverend Doctor John E. Fellers (Methodist) were both born in Houston and met at the same childhood church.  After growing up, they saw each other again, dated and married.  They had 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grand babies.  The family all lives close by.  John passed 12 years ago, and Bobbie moved into an apartment, then to Treemont, where she is very pleased!

Bobbie volunteered at church, supporting her husband in his ministry.  While they were at St. Paul’s Methodist church on Main Street here in Houston (next to the Museum of Fine Arts), Bobbie also had a travel agency.

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