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

What can a Senior Advisor do for you?

By Donna Nichols • July 17, 2025
A senior advisor is a personal guide or advocate for older adults and their families. Here’s what they can do for you: Help Navigate Options They can explain the differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes, and in-home care, and recommend the best option for a person's health, lifestyle, and budget. Find the Right Community or Services They often have knowledge of (and connections with) local senior living communities or services. They’ll: Match your needs to suitable options Setting up tours Even help ask the right questions Assist with Financial Planning Some advisors can help figure out how to pay for care: Understanding long-term care insurance Veterans’ benefits Medicaid/Medicare guidance Budget planning Guide Legal and Paperwork Stuff They can refer you to elder law attorneys, help with advance directives, or even help you understand contracts from senior living facilities. Support for Families They can act as a neutral third party when families struggle with decisions, easing tension and helping everyone feel informed and involved. Assist with Movers and Downsizers Some advisors have connections with movers, downsizers, and other people who can make your transition smooth.  If you believe a senior advisor can assist you, please call us today to schedule your complimentary consultation at 386-847-2322 . Our services are 100% FREE to you! What have you got to lose?

Beating the Florida Summer Heat

By Donna Nichols • July 7, 2025
Florida summers come in three flavors: hot, hotter, and what fresh hell is this? Whether you're a lifelong local or newly initiated into the Sunshine Sweat Fest, you know it’s more survival sport than season. So, how do we stay cool without losing our cool? Here’s your sun-savvy guide to getting through it. Make hydration a hobby Not just water, electrolytes are your best friends when you're sweaty. Coconut water, cucumber-mint spritzers, watermelon slices. If your drink doesn’t sparkle, chill, or drip condensation like a rom-com montage, it’s not summer-ready. Dress for success and summertime Loose, light, breathable fabrics. Cotton, linen, or the holy grail: moisture-wicking. Bonus points for sun hats and SPF clothing that make you look like a beach detective on vacation. Fans ARE your best friends Table fans, ceiling fans, handheld fans—the whole rotation. Keep them oscillating like your thoughts during a political debate. And if you’ve got a cooling towel? You’re royalty. Avoid the “Roasting Hours” From 11 AM to 4 PM, Florida turns into a convection oven. Errands, walks, and yard work? Schedule them early or late. Unless you’re trying to get baked like a Publix cookie—then by all means. Sunscreen is a lifestyle Apply, reapply, then pretend  you're an influencer and do it again. Because nothing says “I’m melting” like a shoulder burn shaped like your purse strap. Eat lightly Cold meals can be your best friend—salads, chilled pasta, and fruit-forward lunches are all options. Bonus points if you serve them on plates fresh from the fridge like the true champion you are. Rest, reset, repeat If the heat’s making you crankier than a mosquito at a citronella convention, take breaks: shade, air conditioning, quiet corners. Recharge without guilt—you’re surviving a sauna with its own zip code. Florida heat might be relentless, but so are we. With humor, hydration, and a healthy dose of stubborn grace, we ride the wave and keep the ice cubes coming. Stay cool out there, friends. You’ve got this.

Honoring Independence Day with Grace

By Donna Nichols • July 2, 2025
Not every 4th of July needs to burst with fireworks. For many older adults, especially those with tender hearing, health challenges, or a fondness for quieter joys, Independence Day can be just as meaningful in a slower rhythm. It’s the scent of something delicious simmering nearby, the comfort of a cool seat and a cherished show, and the simple dignity of being remembered; of having made it this far, with stories to tell and wisdom that still glows brighter than any sparkler. Caregiver Tips for a Thoughtful 4th: Keep things soft and soothing. Loud sounds can be jarring for seniors with sensory sensitivities, dementia, or PTSD. Choose instrumental patriotic music or old-time radio shows that bring joy without overwhelming them. Build a gentle plate. Soft, easy-to-eat favorites like tender pulled chicken, mashed potatoes, or a festive red, white, and blue parfait (layered Greek yogurt, mashed berries, and crushed graham crackers) keep things celebratory without strain. Spark memories, not stress. Bring out family photo albums, classic Americana films, or even music from their youth. Columbo, The Andy Griffith Show, or golden-age musicals can be a comforting trip down memory lane. Create rest-friendly spaces. A cozy chair near the window, a shaded seat outside, or even a reclined viewing spot for a live TV broadcast of fireworks can help them feel included without fatigue. Let them lead the conversation. Ask about what Independence Day meant to them growing up. You might discover tales of ration books, war bonds, or dancing at VFW halls. These stories are treasures wrapped in the quiet of the day.  In the end, Independence Day is about honoring resilience—the kind that’s quieter, often overlooked, but profoundly enduring. Whether you’re caring for someone, being cared for, or simply holding space for reflection, there’s beauty in choosing peace over spectacle. This Fourth of July, let’s celebrate not just the freedom of a nation but also the freedom to adapt, to rest, and to cherish those we love in the way that suits them best.