Meet Our Team!

Donna Nichols • March 8, 2024
A group of people standing in front of a building that says placement advisor

Assisted Living Made Simple is not just a placement company. We are a team of Senior Advisors and advocates for you and your loved one(s). We are here to serve your communities with our knowledge and expertise in healthcare, insurance benefits, free medical equipment, VA knowledge, and so much more!


Rose Traub - The founder of ALMS has an extensive background in hospitality, business community and hospice services. She is also the co-author of A Guiding Light for Seniors and Their Families, a comprehensive manual to walk you through the stages of aging.


Rose is also a certified Alzheimer’s support group facilitator. She conducts four monthly meetings with caregivers and others dealing with the disease at two locations in Volusia County. The group allows those dealing with all types of dementia to share their concerns and support each other.


Meet our Volusia/Flagler team:


• Shar Barron – Over 40 years management/hospitality, community fundraising, skilled nursing facilities, and involvement in multiple church communities. Outside of her work with Assisted Living Made Simple, Shar works with Daytona Outreach assisting with the needs of our homeless population and the Veterans at Barracks of Hope (HUM).


Shar is active in her church and feels God put her on this earth to help others. “I feel Assisted Living Made Simple is a good place to further this life plan,” she said.


• Jen Betti, R.N. – Experience includes hospital case management, home health care, skilled nursing facilities and bedside nursing. She has been in healthcare since she was eighteen years old when she started as a certified nursing assistant, then a licensed practical nurse, and progressed to a registered nurse.


This journey has reached 33 years in healthcare. Caring and being an advocate for people is her passion.


• George Blalock, R.N. – Years as a hospice nurse and very involved with assisting VA clients. His reason for working for Assisted Living Made Simple is to maintain contact with people and help our seniors.


• Bobbi Lynch – Our legal guardian with years of experience as an executive director of assisted livings. Given her longtime admiration of seniors, she feels blessed to continue to help them and their families through her position with Assisted Living Made Simple.


• Donna Nichols – City of Edgewater administrative assistant for over 20 years. “I love the ability to help people, especially our seniors. My passion for our seniors comes from my own 95-year-old mother who, thankfully, is still with me.”


• Estelle Pecchio – Worked with durable medical companies, assisted living communities and 16 years hospital business administration. Estelle is a certified Alzheimer’s caregiver support group facilitator and is on the Board of Directors for a breast cancer survivors’ group. She is highly passionate about our seniors and takes pride in advocating for them and their needs.


• Bev Robinson – Years of assisted living knowledge, including being an executive director and community liaison. Starting her career in Pennsylvania, Bev relocated to Florida and is extremely well versed in senior living options and many other facets of senior care.



Rose has built her team from compassion and her love for the community. The purpose of ALMS is to guide families through the struggles of navigating through healthcare, life choices and what to do next.


Now that you know the team at ALMS, please give us a call for your FREE consultation and let any one of our advisors assist you in your next chapter of life. 386-847-2322.


A group of people standing in front of a building that says placement advisor
By Donna Nichols March 9, 2026
If you’ve ever walked into a room full of older adults and noticed the sweaters, shawls, and space heaters humming in the corner, you’re not imagining it — many seniors really do feel colder than everyone else. And it’s not just a quirk. There are real, physical reasons behind it, and understanding them can make daily life a lot more comfortable. 1. Our Internal Thermostat Changes Over Time As we age, the body becomes less efficient at regulating temperature. The internal “thermostat” in the brain doesn’t respond as quickly to cold, so seniors may feel chilly even when the room is warm enough for others. 2. Less Muscle = Less Heat Muscle mass naturally decreases with age, and muscle is what helps generate body heat. With less of it, the body simply produces less warmth. Even active seniors may notice they get cold more easily than they used to. 3. Thinner Skin and Reduced Circulation Skin becomes thinner over time, offering less insulation. On top of that, circulation often slows, meaning warm blood takes longer to reach hands, feet, and other extremities. This is why fingers and toes are often the first to feel icy. 4. Medications Can Play a Role Many common medications — including those for blood pressure, thyroid issues, or depression — can affect how warm or cold someone feels. It’s not always the medication itself, but how it interacts with the body’s temperature signals. 5. Underlying Health Conditions Conditions like anemia, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or poor circulation can all contribute to feeling cold. Sometimes, persistent chilliness is the body’s way of asking for a check-in with a healthcare provider. 6. Hydration and Nutrition Matter More Than You Think Dehydration and low-calorie intake can both make the body feel colder. Seniors who don’t drink enough water or who eat lightly may notice they’re chilly more often. Simple Ways to Stay Warm and Comfortable • Layer up with breathable fabrics • Keep moving — even gentle stretching boosts circulation • Warm beverages throughout the day • Use blankets or heated throws safely • Check room drafts and adjust thermostat settings • Talk with a doctor if coldness is new or worsening A Warm Note to Close Feeling cold isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a natural part of aging. With a few small adjustments and a little awareness, seniors can stay cozy, comfortable, and confident all year long.
By Donna Nichols March 3, 2026
Spring has a way of softening the world. The air warms, the light lingers, and suddenly the small things — a bird call, a new bloom, a gentle breeze — feel like invitations to breathe a little deeper. For many seniors, especially those carrying grief, stress, or the weight of a long winter, March can feel like a quiet turning point. Here’s why spring so often brings emotional renewal, no matter your age. 1. Light Returns, and So Does Energy Longer days naturally lift mood. More sunlight helps regulate sleep, boosts energy, and gently nudges the body out of winter’s heaviness. Even a few minutes outside can shift the way the day feels. 2. Nature Models Healing Spring is a season of second chances. Trees bud again, flowers push through the soil, and the world rebuilds itself without rushing. For seniors navigating loss or change, this slow, steady renewal can feel reassuring — a reminder that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible. 3. Movement Feels More Natural Warmer weather encourages small steps: a walk to the mailbox, a few minutes on the porch, tending to a plant. These simple movements help ease stiffness, improve mood, and reconnect the body with the world around it. 4. Social Life Blossoms Too As the weather improves, people naturally come out of hibernation. Neighbors chat outside, community events pick up, and families gather more often. Even brief interactions can brighten a day and reduce feelings of isolation. 5. Spring Encourages Reflection — and Release There’s something about fresh air and open windows that invites a mental reset. Many seniors find themselves sorting through memories, letting go of what no longer serves them, and making space for what’s next. A Season That Meets You Where You Are Spring doesn’t demand big changes. It simply offers gentle reminders: you’re still growing, still healing, still here. Whether you’re grieving, rebuilding, or simply ready for a lighter season, March brings a quiet kind of hope — one that arrives softly and stays.
By Donna Nichols February 5, 2026
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