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

Protecting Your Skin at Every Age — Especially Under the Florida Sun

By Donna Nichols • May 4, 2026
May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, an important time to talk about protecting the skin we live in. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and Florida’s year‑round sunshine makes awareness especially important for seniors. Many older adults grew up in a time before sunscreen was widely used, which means decades of sun exposure may increase risk today. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, can develop quickly — but when caught early, it is highly treatable. Other types of skin cancer, like basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, are also common in seniors and often appear on areas that have seen the most sun over the years: the face, ears, neck, arms, and hands. What to look for: Early detection saves lives. Seniors should watch for: • New spots or moles • Changes in size, shape, or color • Spots that itch, bleed, or don’t heal • Anything that looks different from the rest Dermatologists often use the ABCDE rule to help identify concerning changes: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving over time. Simple ways to protect your skin: • Wear a wide‑brimmed hat and lightweight long sleeves when outdoors • Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply regularly • Seek shade during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) • Avoid tanning beds • Schedule regular skin checks with a dermatologist, especially if you’ve had sunburns in the past Skin cancer awareness isn’t about avoiding the outdoors — it’s about enjoying it safely. Sunshine can lift our spirits, support healthy sleep, and encourage movement, but it’s important to protect ourselves along the way. With a few mindful habits and regular check‑ins, seniors can stay active, confident, and sun‑smart all year long.

Staying Active as the Weather Warms

By Donna Nichols • April 17, 2026
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Allergy Season Is Here: What Seniors Should Know

By Donna Nichols • April 2, 2026
April in Florida means sunshine, flowers, and… pollen. Lots of pollen. For many seniors, allergy season can bring sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and fatigue — symptoms that can be frustrating but manageable with awareness and simple habits. Here’s what older adults and caregivers should keep in mind as allergy season peaks. 1. Allergies Can Change Ov er Time Even if someone never had allergies before, they can develop later in life. The immune system shifts with age, and new sensitivities can appear. If symptoms show up suddenly each spring, allergies may be the reason. 2. Pollen Counts Are Highest in the Morning For seniors who enjoy morning walks or porch time, this can be a surprise. On high‑pollen days, shifting outdoor time to later in the afternoon can make a big difference. 3. Staying Hydrated Helps Ease Symptoms Water thins mucus, supports the immune system, and helps the body flush irritants. Seniors often drink less than they realize, so gentle reminders — a water bottle nearby, herbal tea, flavored water — can help. 4. Keep the Indoors as Allergen‑Free as Possible A few simple habits go a long way: • Keep windows closed on high‑pollen days • Change air filters regularly • Remove shoes at the door • Shower or change clothes after being outside These small steps help reduce the amount of pollen that sneaks indoors. 5. Pay Attention to New or Worsening Symptoms If allergy symptoms feel different than usual, last longer than expected, or interfere with daily life, it’s a good time to check in with a healthcare provider. Sometimes what looks like allergies can be something else entirely. A Breath of Fresh (and Cleaner) Air Allergies may be part of spring, but they don’t have to steal the joy of the season. With a little awareness and a few simple habits, seniors can stay comfortable, active, and able to enjoy everything April has to offer.