#66 - Interview with Shari Ross - Author of Senior Living made S.I.M.P.L.E.

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The moment a loved one needs more help, everything can feel urgent, emotional, and unclear. We bring calm to the chaos with a practical, human roadmap that reframes “aging in place” as finding the right match, where safety, independence, and joy actually overlap.

Our guest, Sherry Ross, aging and caregiving resource expert and author of Senior Living Made Simple, shares the S.I.M.P.L.E. method: Support, Information, Matching, Preparation, Letting go, and Engagement.

Together, we unpack the decisions families face, the myths that hold people back, and the small steps that make big transitions easier.

We get specific about what “good fit” looks like across independent living, assisted living, memory care, CCRCs, and small board-and-care homes. Instead of chasing chandeliers, we focus on staff culture, resident engagement, food quality, cleanliness, and real-life routines.

You’ll learn how to spot red flags on tours, why you should only visit one community per day, and how to preserve your parent’s agency by shortlisting two strong matches before you bring them to choose.

We also cover the signals it might be time to move, falls, missed meds, isolation, and home hazards, and how to start gentle, low-pressure conversations that plant seeds without triggering defensiveness.

Technology gets a clear-eyed review: medication reminders, passive fall detection, GPS wearables, smart-home monitoring, and simple video calling that extend autonomy and offer family peace of mind, especially for long-distance caregivers.

We look at the industry’s shift toward wellness and purpose: lifelong learning, creative studios, intergenerational programs, and thoughtful design that supports dignity and daily meaning.

If you’re navigating senior care for the first time, or trying to avoid crisis-mode decision making, this conversation gives you a steady plan, plain language, and actionable steps you can use today.

If this was helpful, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest question, we’ll tackle it in a future episode.

For more information about aging in place and caregiving for older adults, visit our website at SeniorSafetyAdvice.com