Frequently Asked Questions

Evergreen Cottages is a warm, family-style senior living community in Katy, Texas, offering specialized Memory Care and Assisted Living. Born from a vision of compassionate, dignified care, we provide a home-like environment where residents are treated as cherished family members. Our founders bring over 50 years of combined experience in medical care, senior wellness, and memory care. Our philosophy: to nourish everyone involved at every level — residents, families, and our dedicated caregivers.

We operate three cottages in the Katy, TX area:

Bridgewater Cottage — 21715 Bridgewater Village Dr, Katy, TX 77449 · (832) 321-5957 · License #147551

Jasmine Cottage — 21609 Provincial Blvd, Katy, TX 77450 · (832) 321-5074 · License #307230

Magnolia Cottage — 21605 Provincial Blvd, Katy, TX 77450 · (281) 206-7571 · License #147147

Main office: (281) 670-9810. Cottages are staffed and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Office hours, tours, and consultations are Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (CT).

Each Evergreen cottage houses a maximum of 16 residents. This boutique scale creates a warm, home-like atmosphere where staff truly know every resident by name. No long hallways, no overwhelming dining halls — just a beautiful home with a kitchen at its heart. Small is intentionally better.

Yes. Evergreen Cottages has been recognized as a Best Senior Living community by the Senior Resource Guide for multiple consecutive years — 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022. We also hold a perfect 5.0-star rating based on 46 verified Google reviews, a testament to the trust families place in us.

We invite you to come see the Evergreen difference in person — no commitment required. Tours and consultations are conducted Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM (CT). Our cottages are staffed around the clock, but scheduling in advance ensures our full, undivided attention for your family.

We offer two primary levels of care:

Assisted Living — For seniors who need help with daily tasks (bathing, dressing, medication management) while valuing independence and social connection.

Memory Care — Purpose-built, specialized care for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other forms of cognitive decline, all within our cozy residential cottages.

We believe in complete transparency — no hidden fees, no confusing care levels. Our all-inclusive rate covers: 24/7 nursing and dementia-trained staff · personalized care plans · all assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility, feeding) · medication management · three home-cooked meals daily plus 24/7 snacks · housekeeping and laundry · engaging activities and life enrichment programs · secure, dementia-friendly environment · ongoing health and nutrition monitoring.

We staff well above state-mandated minimums. Our caregiver-to-resident ratio is 1:4 — compared to the state minimum of 1:8. We also maintain two awake staff members overnight, so your loved one is always attended to. Every caregiver is dementia-trained and chosen for their heart-centered approach.

Yes. Our Executive Directors are nurses who work on-site daily. We have weekly Nurse Practitioner visits and host mobile medical services including dentistry, radiology, podiatry, and pharmacy — so residents receive care without leaving the comfort of their cottage. Home health, palliative, and hospice care services are also accessible.

Absolutely — this is one of our greatest promises to families. If a resident begins in assisted living and later develops cognitive decline, they transition seamlessly into our memory care program without leaving the community or the familiar caregivers they trust. Consistency and emotional stability matter deeply to us.

Our cottages are architecturally built with the “Never Lost”® concept — an open-concept floor plan that allows residents to move freely without dead ends or confusing hallways. This proprietary design reduces disorientation and anxiety in those with memory impairment, supporting both safety and a genuine sense of independence and dignity.

Our memory care program is designed for a wide range of conditions, including: Alzheimer's Disease · Vascular Dementia · Lewy Body Dementia · Frontotemporal Dementia · Traumatic Brain Injury · Huntington's Disease · Mixed Dementia · Parkinson's Disease · Age-related cognitive decline.

If you are unsure whether your loved one is a good fit, please call us — we're happy to guide you.

We use a “Taking Their Walk” approach — our staff meets residents where they are in their current reality, validating their feelings and walking beside them with patience and empathy rather than correcting or redirecting. We focus on what residents can do, not what they can't. Every interaction is designed to preserve dignity and spark genuine joy.

Safety is woven into every aspect of our design and operations: controlled-access entries and exits · beautifully landscaped, secured outdoor gardens and walking paths · non-invasive monitoring technology that enhances safety while respecting privacy · 24/7 awake staff coverage · emergency call systems in all rooms · wheelchair-accessible bathrooms throughout.

Days at Evergreen are structured, engaging, and joyful. A typical day includes personalized morning routines with grooming and dressing assistance, nutritious home-cooked meals shared with fellow residents, enrichment activities tailored to individual abilities, and time to relax in the Great Room or outdoors. Residents are encouraged to participate in kitchen life, gardening, and community moments — just as they would at home.

We offer a rich daily social calendar including: music therapy · pet therapy · gardening · chair yoga and stretching · board games and trivia · arts and crafts · balloon tennis · baking · reminiscence groups · live music performances · movie nights · puzzles and coloring · holiday celebrations. All programs are tailored to individual abilities and focused on genuine joy and connection.

We believe food is medicine. Our EverFresh® menu features three wholesome, home-cooked meals prepared daily in our open kitchen using natural ingredients tailored to individual dietary and medical needs. Snacks and beverages are available around the clock. We also monitor nutrition and hydration on an ongoing basis to support overall health and wellbeing.

Evergreen Cottages is a pet-friendly community. We believe deeply in the healing power of animals, and pet therapy is a regular part of our enrichment programming. If your loved one has a pet, we encourage you to discuss specific accommodations with our team during your tour.

Yes, we offer both private and shared room options. All living spaces feature spacious layouts, tasteful interiors, modern amenities, emergency call systems, and wheelchair-accessible bathrooms. We encourage you to view our floor plans online or visit us in person to find the best fit for your loved one.

Evergreen Cottages uses an all-inclusive pricing model with no hidden fees or care-level surcharges. Estimated monthly costs typically start in the range of $5,500–$6,500, depending on room type and individual care needs. Contact us directly for current pricing and availability, as rates may vary by cottage.

Medicare pays for medical services for eligible people, usually those 65 years and older. However, Medicare payments do not cover the cost of Room and Board at assisted living or memory care communities.

Medicare does cover many needed medical expenses, including doctors' visits, certain medical procedures and services, home health services, hospice, and palliative care. Generally, most medical services received while living at Evergreen Cottages may be covered by Medicare — but the residential housing cost itself is not.

Please consult your Medicare provider for clarification on your specific benefits.

Evergreen Cottages does not accept Medicaid. If you have questions about alternative payment options or financial planning resources, please contact our team — we are happy to point you toward helpful community resources and advisors.

Most residents fund their care through a combination of: private pay (personal savings, retirement income) · long-term care insurance · veterans benefits (for eligible veterans and spouses) · life insurance policy conversions · bridge loans or senior financing solutions. We recommend consulting with a senior financial advisor to explore all available options.

Yes — family involvement is deeply valued at Evergreen Cottages. Family members are welcome to visit and stay connected to their loved one's daily life. We provide regular care updates to keep families informed of any changes to individualized care plans. Our staff also offers educational resources to help families navigate the stages of dementia and Alzheimer's with confidence and compassion.

We partner with trusted organizations to support the whole family:

National: Alzheimer's Association · Alzheimer's Foundation of America · Lewy Body Dementia Association · Family Caregiver Alliance

Texas: Alzheimer's Association – Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter · Texas HHS Aging Services · LTC Ombudsman (1-800-252-2412)

We also offer respite care for primary family caregivers. Visit our Family Resources page for more.

Absolutely. Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can offer, and volunteers make a meaningful difference in our residents' lives every day. We welcome volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill sets — whether you want to share a talent, lead an activity, or simply offer companionship.

Important: Volunteers must submit an application form online to be considered — no exceptions. Calling us about volunteering will disqualify you from the program. Please visit our volunteering page and complete the application with your contact information, areas of interest, skills, and preferred schedule.

All ages are welcome:

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Middle School and High School students are welcome and can earn verified volunteer hours. We provide a certificate of volunteer hours earned upon request — great for school requirements or college applications.

Seniors helping other seniors are also warmly welcomed.

We have a wide variety of volunteer types:

Chaplain / Pastor · Church Group Volunteer · Hospice / Home Health Volunteer · Individual Volunteer · Musician Volunteer · Pet Therapy Volunteer · School Volunteer Group · Student Volunteer.

If you have a special talent such as singing, playing a musical instrument, or pet therapy, note it in your application and we will work with you to schedule an activity our residents will love.

Volunteers can participate in nearly every part of daily life at Evergreen. Activity slots are available seven days a week, including: breakfast, lunch, and dinner serving · morning devotionals · sit and be fit / stretching / yoga · trivia and board games · arts and crafts · balloon tennis · baking · coloring · movie nights · puzzles · walking and garden club · table talk and reminiscing. You can volunteer one time or on an ongoing recurring basis.

Both options are available. When you apply, you will indicate whether you are volunteering as a one-time visitor or on an ongoing basis. We appreciate both equally — even a single visit can bring tremendous joy and connection to our residents.

Yes, group volunteering is warmly welcome. Church groups and school volunteer groups are among our listed volunteer types. When completing your application, include your group name in the designated field. All group members must apply through the online form — phone inquiries about group volunteering will not be accepted.

You can indicate your preferred location in the volunteer application. The three available cottages are:

Bridgewater Cottage — 21715 Bridgewater Village Dr, Katy, TX 77449
Magnolia Cottage — 21605 Provincial Blvd, Katy, TX 77450
Jasmine Cottage — 21609 Provincial Blvd, Katy, TX 77450

Yes. We provide a certificate of volunteer hours earned upon request. This is particularly useful for students who need to document community service hours for school requirements or college applications. Simply let us know when volunteering that you would like a certificate.

We would love that. Music and performances bring tremendous joy to our residents. In your application, note your talent — whether it's singing, playing an instrument, leading a choir, conducting pet therapy, or something else — and we will reach out to schedule your volunteer activity. Musician Volunteers are among our most cherished volunteer types.

We regularly hire for the following roles:

CNA and Caregivers · Certified Medication Aides · Activities / Kitchen Directors · RN / LVN Executive Directors · Executive Directors · Management Analysts (Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field required).

All positions are based at our Katy, TX cottages.

All applications are submitted through our online employment form at evergreencottages.com/employment. You will provide your contact information, work history, certifications, shift preferences, and upload a resume. You will also answer key questions about your experience and your approach to resident care.

Prior memory care experience is considered but not always required, depending on the role. What matters most to us is compassion, a willingness to learn, and a genuine heart for elder care. All new team members receive ongoing dementia care training and mentorship through our Heart-Centered Approach program.

Relevant certifications include:

Texas Activities Board Certification — helpful for Activities / Kitchen Director roles
Texas Medication Aide Certification — required for Certified Medication Aide positions
Texas Nursing License (RN or LVN) — required for nursing and Executive Director roles

If you are currently working toward a certification, you may still apply and indicate this in the application.

Since our cottages are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we have openings across all shifts. In your application you may indicate a shift preference: Morning, Evening, Night, PRN (as-needed), or No Preference. We do our best to match schedules to your availability.

Yes. As part of our commitment to resident safety, all applicants must consent to:

1. An Employee Misconduct Registry search prior to hiring. Applicants listed on the registry will not be eligible for employment at Evergreen Cottages.

2. A Computerized Criminal History (CCH) check through the Texas Department of Public Safety Secure Website, per Texas Government Code 411, Subchapter F.

The application asks whether you have transportation readily available. Reliable transportation is generally expected, as our three cottages are located in residential Katy, TX neighborhoods. If you have specific questions about transportation for a particular role, note this when applying.

Yes. Speaking a language in addition to English is a noted positive attribute on our application. Given the diverse communities we serve in the greater Katy and Houston areas, bilingual caregivers are especially valued. You will be asked to indicate your additional language(s) during the application process.

Above all else, we look for people with a genuine heart for elder care. Technical skills can be trained — compassion, empathy, patience, and respect must come from within. We invest in ongoing dementia care training, mentorship, and a Heart-Centered Approach that focuses on treating every resident with dignity and love. Our team members don't just care for residents — they care about them.

Working at Evergreen means being part of a tight-knit, family-style team in a small-scale residential setting — not a large institution. Because each cottage houses a maximum of 16 residents, you truly get to know every person you care for. Our founders lead with the same Heart-Centered philosophy they ask of every team member. It is meaningful, purposeful work.

The Management Analyst role focuses on analyzing operational data to develop solutions and improve systems, procedures, and organizational processes. Responsibilities include documenting findings, preparing recommendations, and analyzing areas such as communications, information flow, inventory control, and cost analysis. A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field is required. Interested candidates may send their resume to: Evergreen Cottages LP, dba Evergreen Cottages, 21715 Bridgewater Village Drive, Katy, TX 77449.

Yes — we welcome referrals for both employment and volunteering. All referred candidates must complete the appropriate online application to be considered.

Yes. We invest heavily in our team. All caregivers receive ongoing dementia care training and mentorship through our Heart-Centered Approach — a philosophy that emphasizes empathy, respect, and personalized support for every resident. Our Executive Directors, who are nurses, lead teams on-site daily, creating a strong culture of learning, accountability, and compassionate care.

For the Management Analyst position specifically, resumes may be mailed to:

Evergreen Cottages LP, dba Evergreen Cottages
21715 Bridgewater Village Drive
Katy, TX 77449

For all other positions, please apply through our online employment application.

We staff well above state minimums. Our caregiver-to-resident ratio is 1:4 versus the state requirement of 1:8. We maintain two awake staff members overnight every night of the year. This means our team members are not stretched thin — they can give every resident the time, attention, and care they deserve, while also enjoying a healthier, more sustainable work environment.