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Most families don’t start planning senior living until a scare forces the issue. We wanted to change that. So we sat down with Sherry Ross, aging and caregiving resource expert and author of Senior Living Made Simple, to turn panic into a plan you can actually follow.

Sherry shares her SIMPLE framework to guide every step: build the right support team, learn options before a crisis, match needs to the right environment, get legal and financial prep done, let go of guilt and excess stuff, and prioritize daily engagement that gives life meaning.

We dig into the big misconceptions that keep people stuck, why “nursing home” isn’t a catch-all term, how “community” better reflects modern senior living, and why moving can increase independence instead of reducing it. You’ll learn the real-world signs it may be time to consider a move: falls, missed meds, skipped appointments, isolation, weight loss, or early cognitive slips that make routines risky.

Then we get tactical about touring: limit to one visit a day, watch staff-resident interactions, verify activities beyond the calendar, do the smell test past the lobby, taste the food, and chat with residents to gauge happiness. We even cover a low-pressure path for resistant parents—start with lunch, not a hard sell, and a practical strategy of pre-screening yourself, then bringing your loved one to the top two choices so they keep agency.

Technology shows up as a quiet hero throughout. From smart medication dispensers and passive fall detection to GPS wearables and simple video calling, the right tools extend safety and connection without replacing human care.

We also look ahead at how communities are evolving around wellness, lifelong learning, creative pursuits, and intergenerational programs that make daily life feel vibrant instead of clinical. If you’re weighing independent living, assisted living, memory care, or board-and-care, this conversation gives you a humane, step-by-step way to move forward with clarity.

If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a roadmap, and leave a quick review to help more families find trusted guidance.

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If you provide services for modifying homes for disabled or seniors aging in place, sign up to our directory and expand your business.

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DIY home modifications empower aging in place while making homes safer, more comfortable, and more accessible. Smart, targeted improvements can be completed without professional help to transform your living space while saving money.

The heart of our discussion focuses on nine specific modifications most people can safely tackle themselves. For each project, we provide practical tips and reassurance that these changes can be made gradually to accommodate both physical energy and budget constraints.

Just as important as knowing what you can do yourself is recognizing when to call in professionals. We outline five categories of modifications best left to experts. Throughout the episode, we emphasize safety considerations, affordable alternatives, and the emotional benefits of taking ownership of these changes.

Thanks for listening!

Sign up to our Homeowners Newsletter - it's a weekly newsletter filled with expert tips and advice on how to age safely and more comfortably in your own home.

If you provide services for modifying homes for disabled or seniors aging in place, sign up to our directory and expand your business.

Got a comment or idea? Send us a text.

Aging in place is fundamentally about choice and community support, not stubbornness or isolation. A robust network of connections transforms aging at home from merely surviving to genuinely thriving with dignity and independence.

• Strong social connections lead to fewer hospitalizations and longer lives
• Community support makes aging at home more affordable than institutional care

Whether you're an older adult seeking resources, a family member supporting a loved one, or someone interested in strengthening your community, this episode offers both inspiration and practical starting points. Because ultimately, aging is a journey best traveled together.

Subscribe to the Aging in Place Directory podcast for more insights on navigating the path to growing older with dignity, independence, and joy.

Thanks for listening!

Sign up to our Homeowners Newsletter - it's a weekly newsletter filled with expert tips and advice on how to age safely and more comfortably in your own home.

If you provide services for modifying homes for disabled or seniors aging in place, sign up to our directory and expand your business.