Treemont Retirement Blog

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Admissions Director Kelli Walleck

Welcome to Kelli Walleck, Director of Marketing & Admissions Director!  Residents often come to skilled nursing and rehab or assisted living following medical setbacks, such as a complicated infection, a fall resulting in a fracture, or a stroke resulting in the need for retraining in daily living tasks. One benefit of residing at Treemont is that there is a Health Care Center (HCC) on the campus, just off Building B, to provide rehabilitation after a hospital stay. Kelli is responsible for sharing our historic community with families of seniors who are searching for strong short-term nursing and rehabilitation services or transition to an assisted living setting.

Kelli is generally the first point of contact for residents and families with questions about health care options. Please introduce yourself. You will be impressed with Kelli’s knowledge

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Director of Nursing Sheree Wade

Leadership is the key ingredient in the success of any operation. Treemont’s Director of Nursing (DON) Sheree Wade, RN  is the kind of person you want at the helm. Sheree basically grew up in a nursing home, following in the foot steps of her CNA mom and LVN grandmother. “My mother passed away when I was 12 but her work ethic inspired me to become a nurse. I remember visiting the Nursing Home and residents knew me by name, how great I was doing in school. They were like family. I became a CNA at 17 at that same nursing home and obtained my LVN license at 19,” says Sheree. “I feel like I am doing God’s work, no job is ever too small for me to do. I truly believe that nursing is a calling and it takes a special, compassionate person to dedicate their lives to taking care of others.”

Sheree oversees the nursing care and those staff responsible for providing care. “I educate and find new exciting ways for the staff to be engaged and excited about the work that we do. I work hand in

by Jane Zimmerman, Treemont Resident

Lovely lady Barbara Morgan had no doubt in her mind when it came time to retire that she wanted to come to Treemont because she had friends who lived here.  Because she is outgoing and had already visited before, being a newbie for her was easy and she quickly made more friends.  She said she thinks now that she definitely made the right decision.

A native Texan, Barbara was born in 1935 in Noonday, Texas, a small town just outside Tyler.  Due to lack of employment opportunities in Noonday, she and her family moved to Houston when Barbara was five.  Her father worked for Carnation Milk Company.  Barbara attended George Washington Elementary School in the Heights.  She later graduated from Reagan High School and occasionally took college courses in both business and art.

The holidays are a wonderful time to gather with family. It can, however, be a wake up call for adult children that their parent’s or grandparent’s gait has slowed, and they might need a bit of help with activities of daily living.

Here are some key telltale signs that a more supportive environment might be helpful: more accidents, chronic health conditions, difficulty managing daily activities (not eating well, poor hygiene, inconsistent taking of medications), lack of social connection and overall feeling less safe.

What to do? Don’t panic. There are options short of assisted living or a nursing home to keep your family member independent and safe. Initiate a direct, but loving conversation. "We are worried that you are living

Treemont is making headway on many items of improvement to the community.  

The automated doors have been installed in the lobby area leading to the back patio. If you haven't noticed, the new "auto" doors are located just near the fireplace closest to the dining room side.  

The new buffet line equipment is up and running and is a nice addition to the dining room remodel.  We still have a few things we will be adding such as tile wall behind the buffet line and new built in cabinetry for the beverage station.  We will be doing these items with our "in-house" maintenance crew. 

Houston Assisted Living Activities: Residents Enjoy Smoothie Workshop with Healthy Benefits

Nutrition is one of the hottest topics in health today, with many doctors and nutritionists treating and even curing chronic diseases through proper nutrition. Of course, much of this information is available on the internet, but residents at Treemont Retirement Community have been treated to in-person monthly seminars this summer, taught by Columbia-educated Nutrition Professor Martica Heaner. Dr. Heaner, who has written eight books and even had her own TV program in the UK, is working with residents to help them understand the role of different nutrients in the body, and teaching them how to plan a well-balanced diet from the options available to them in the community dining room.

“Our residents were especially intrigued by the data and studies

Treemont Nursing & Rehab Certificate of Accomplishment Ceremony

Everyone faces setbacks; character is defined by our response.  Should the setback come from health issue(s) that result in injury or surgery, Treemont has resources in place to aide in recovery.  The real work comes from mentally preparing and then physically pursuing rehabilitation goals that make you safer and stronger.  ‘Our goal is that we minimize the chance that residents have to return to the hospital or the healthcare center after an inpatient stay,’ according to Marion Hattix, the Admission Director at Treemont Health Care Center.

The most recent Certificate of Accomplishment Ceremony was held Monday August 20, 2018 in the main lobby of independent living.  Residents were able to reconnect with the therapy and nursing staff that helped them transition back home.  It was a great opportunity to reflect on their progress while enjoying drinks, fruit, and an epic cheese ball handcrafted for the event by Chef James and the kitchen staff