June 11, 2025 • 22 mins
The aging population in America is growing rapidly – over 11,000 people turn 65 daily – yet many seniors and their families find themselves unprepared for the challenges of housing transitions and aging well. Jane Lomas, founder of Cherokee Rose Senior Living Solutions and certified senior home coach, who joins Wanda Pearson on Ready Set Collaborate to share her compassionate approach to guiding seniors through life changes.
Jane's journey into senior advocacy stems from deeply personal experiences with her own mother. This background fuels her passion for creating safe, supportive environments where older adults can thrive, not just survive. Throughout the conversation, she unpacks the concept of "aging in the right place" – acknowledging that while 90% of seniors wish to remain in their homes, those homes aren't always the safest or most appropriate option.
The discussion delves into practical strategies for adult children navigating difficult conversations with aging parents. Rather than approaching these discussions with criticism or demands, Jane advocates starting with curiosity, allowing seniors to participate fully in decisions affecting their lives. Her comprehensive approach includes home safety audits that identify potential hazards like poor lighting, tripping risks, and accessibility challenges before they lead to dangerous falls – which account for a staggering percentage of senior hospitalizations and deaths.
Perhaps most valuable is Jane's emphasis on preparation and documentation. From essential legal papers to the innovative "File of Life" that provides emergency responders with critical information, she outlines concrete steps families can take to minimize chaos during health crises. Her collaborative network of occupational therapists, senior move managers, and financial specialists ensures no aspect of senior well-being is overlooked.
Whether you're a senior planning your next chapter or an adult child helping parents navigate aging transitions, this episode offers compassionate, practical guidance for this universal journey. Connect with Jane at 678-374-9370 or jane@cherokeeroeseatl.com to learn how professional support can transform challenging life transitions into opportunities for continued safety, dignity and peace of mind.
If there’s one thing I want families to know, it’s that you don’t have to figure this out alone. I’m a Senior Home Coach because I’ve been in your shoes—and I know how overwhelming it can feel. Whether it's making the home safer, organizing important documents, or deciding if it’s time for a move, I’m here to guide you with compassion, clarity, and a real plan.
My goal is simple: to help aging adults live safely, happily, and with dignity—wherever they call home.
Here are the Upcoming community talks Jane has on the calendar at the Decatur, Ga Recreation Center:
June 18, 4:00 pm> Trip Proof Your Home! Fall Prevention Hacks
Falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults, but many are preventable. This session covers simple home modifications and safety strategies to reduce fall risks and improve mobility.
July 16, 4:30p > "Embracing Technology: Tools to Enhance Daily Living for Older Adults"
Technology can do more than entertain—it can empower. Join us for an engaging session exploring practical, easy-to-use tools that can support safety, health, and independence at home and on the go.
Connect with Jane Lomas - 678-374-9370
Website: https://www.cherokeeroseseniorlivingsolutions.com/
https://www.facebook.com/janesellsga / IG:
https://www.instagram.com/janesellsga/ LinkedI
Stay tuned for the next episode of Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson. Subscrib
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to Ready Set.
Collaborate with Wanda Pearson.
This is where ideas spark,connections grow and
collaborations fuse success.
Tune in for inspiring stories,expert insights and
game-changing conversations.
Let's build, connect and thrivetogether.
Remember collaboration is thekey to success.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome, welcome to the Ready Set Collaborate.
I'm your host, wanda Pearson,and today I'm joined by an
incredible Jane Lomas.
Did I say it right, jane?
Yes, ma'am, you did.
Okay, good, jane Lomas.
She's a powerhouse of purpose,passion and collaboration, as
well as with her real estate aswell.
So whether she's leading orcreating or inspiring, jane is
(00:50):
about impact.
Get ready for a powerful anduplifting conversation.
Welcome, jane, to the Ready SetCollaborate podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
So say hello to the audience, jane.
Hello everyone, I'm Jane andthank you, wanda, for inviting
me.
I'm really excited about beinghere on Ready Set, collaborate
yes, yes, everyone, I'm Jane andthank you, wanda, for inviting
me.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I'm really excited about being here on Ready Set.
Collaborate, yes, yes,definitely Collaborate.
I always say collaboration isthe key to success.
This is how you never know whoyou're going to meet when you're
networking.
So true, and it's just amazinghow our paths have crossed again
, oh God it's been like overseveral years, right Networking
with one of our favorite ladiesthere Favorite ladies, yes, yes.
(01:27):
So thank you so much for comingto my podcast, Basic
Collaborative.
It's about education andempowering people, and that's
really what I wanted to have youon to educate and empower
people about what you do as well.
So let me get to the point here.
Let me get to Jane's bio.
Jane is the founder of CherokeeRose Senior Living Solutions and
a certified senior home coach.
She helps older adults andtheir families make competent
(01:50):
decisions about where and how toage well.
By combining home safety audits, planning, support and a
network of trusted professionals.
Jane guides her clients throughhousing transitions with
compassion, clarity and peace ofmind.
I love this, Jane, because wereally need more people like you
.
When we start getting older, wedon't know what to do.
(02:12):
We rely on the children oradult children, but to have you
as far as helping them to bemaking more smoother, a smoother
transaction, that's really whatit's all about Jane.
tell us a little bit more aboutyourself.
I know I read your bio, buttell us a little bit more about
you.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
I live in Decatur.
I live near my brothers andsisters, so that's nice.
I moved to Georgia to be closerto my siblings and I'm so glad
I did and I've really gottenentrenched in the community.
I'm on the Environmental andSustainability Board for the
city of Decatur.
I serve on the board of theAtlanta Geological Society
because I'm a geologist bydegree as well and I just like
(02:50):
to get involved and do thingsand I like flowers and plants.
And I am passionate aboutserving seniors because I've
been through it myself and Iknow what people have been
through and I want to be aresource for them.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
That's awesome.
That's awesome.
I tell you, god bless you,because we really need that,
especially now in today's world,because a lot of compassion is
left out, because when you'regoing through selling your home
or getting a home, that's a lot,that's a lot, that's a major
life change.
I would say yeah exactly ExactlyBecause I remember when I
worked for IBM.
I retired since then but theymoved us here from New Jersey to
(03:24):
Georgia.
I didn't know anything aboutGeorgia, I didn't have family
here in Georgia, so I did have agreat realtor that actually I
told her what I wanted.
And then we had a daughter thatwas a junior in high school.
She was not too happy with me,Said we're moving to Georgia
from New Jersey?
I bet not.
I said but you have no choice.
Mommy has 25 years at IBM, sowe got to move to Georgia.
So just having the compassionand knowing what people want,
(03:45):
that really is so important.
So I love that.
So let me ask you somequestions here now.
Sure, what inspired you tobecome a senior home coach and
start Cherokee Rose SeniorLiving Solutions?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Honestly, it's deeply personal for me because I
became a senior home coach afterhelping my mom walk through her
final years in a seniorcommunity in Florida and I saw
how overwhelming it can be.
She had things really set up,she had her trust, she was in a
community that took care of her,but I saw how a lot of other
(04:17):
seniors don't, and their kids,when they see this happening to
their parents, have no idea whatto do.
So I saw that the overwhelmcould be huge and I wanted to be
someone who could help them,both on the emotional and
practical sides.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
That's great.
That's great that you do that,because we really need more
people like you to do that,because now, with everything
that's happening in the worldtoday, it's so hard to know what
to do, especially when we startgetting older.
How do you transition to thedifferent things?
Speaker 3 (04:45):
The silver tsunami is here.
Yeah, we've got so many folksturning 65.
I think it's like over 11,000 aday are turning 65 years old
and I don't think society isready, equipped to house them
and provide health care and takecare of them the way they
should be.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
I love it.
I love it.
I love that you're doing thisfor them.
That's just like you're doingthe same thing as far as helping
others.
That's so important.
Who has supported and furtheredyour education about working in
a senior niche?
Speaker 3 (05:15):
I've gotten a few designations through my real
estate business.
I've gotten a senior realestate specialist.
That was several years ago butit was really a broad brush of a
certification, didn't reallytell me what to do.
And then I became a certifiedprobate specialist so I could
help people who had a death inthe family and they've got to
take care of the home that's inthe trust or in the will and
(05:37):
help them sell that.
And then I met CatherineAmbrose and became a senior home
coach and that kind of hassolidified for me my purpose.
There's just so much involvedin what we do and Catherine has
helped encapsulate it and isteaching us Go a little bit.
I'll tell you about her.
She's just great.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
That's awesome.
So that's your collaborationpartner as far as helping.
She's the chief, she's the bighead.
Yeah, that's awesome, that'sawesome.
It's always good to havesomebody else that can actually
work with you along where youare here.
So tell me about the SeniorCall and media education.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
She has a radio show and she's also on the TV a
couple times and she startedwhat's called the Senior Call,
which is a daily mastermind ofsenior providers and it's not
just realtors.
We've got senior move managers,we've got lenders, we've got
some transition helping them,placement people involved, and
it's every day in the morning.
And then there's two morein-depth, deep dive coaching per
(06:49):
week for the people that aremembers and she's really just
helped us know what we'relooking for, know what to do
With the broad brush from SRES.
Catherine has encapsulated itinto a lot of how-tos and really
helped us move things along.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
That's awesome.
That's awesome to do that,because we need more of these in
this world.
We really do Because, like yousaid, the tsunami the senior
tsunami it is coming.
A lot of people are turning 65and not knowing what to do with
everything that's happening,with all that's going on.
We just need to make sure thatthey're taken care of, and
that's true.
I really admire you andCatherine for doing this for our
(07:28):
seniors.
Listen, I'm a senior too.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
I think we've got over a hundred senior home
coaches in the group, and thenthere are other folks that just
joined in.
Yeah, so there are, we'regrowing.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
That's awesome.
So now, is that all over theworld, or is it in Georgia?
Is it Florida?
It's all over the country We'vegot people in Canada too, I
think.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
So we are pretty spread out, and because it's
everywhere, you know, there areyeah.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
I love that.
I love that, that you're doingthat here, and it's good that
I'm having you on the podcast sopeople know that this is so you
talk about aging in the rightplace.
Can you explain what that meansand why it matters?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Sure, most of the real estate right now is held by
boomers, and I'd say 90% ofthose boomers want to age in
place.
But really, is that the rightplace?
It's a great concept, butsometimes the current place that
they're living in just isn'tthe best fit.
So when I talk about aging inthe right place whether that's I
talk about aging in the rightplace, whether that's their home
(08:22):
, a downsized condo or maybe asenior community I want to make
sure that they feel safe,supported and that they can live
well moving forward.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, and that's so true, and I'm sure the adult
children, that has to deal withthis with their parents.
It's a blessing for them tohave you all as a senior coach,
a senior helping them to be ableto transition over more easily.
A lot of our parents.
They don't want to go, theydon't want to do this.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Oh, they don't, and it's hard to yes.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I know my father.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
I always want my mother and father.
I've never wanted them to gointo a nursing home.
That was one of the things thatI just never wanted them to do.
But sometimes my father haddementia and it was aggressive
dementia.
We didn't want to put him therebut he had to end up going
there.
But thank God for my second mom, she was able to be there every
day.
That's great.
He was taken care of.
And then my mom, who actuallymy birth mom.
(09:11):
She died actually the day afterI moved here.
She was on hospice.
So it's like she waited for meto move to Georgia, you know, to
die, but I already had all herinformation already taken care
of.
So you know it makes adifference to have you, to be
able to guide you along, to dowhat you need to do for the
parents.
So let's talk about some keyconversations adult children
should be having with theiraging parents.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
It's not about having .
It's not, I'm sorry.
It's about coming fromcuriosity and asking questions
and seeing where they want to,where they're going to feel most
comfortable when they get older.
It's a hard conversation tohave.
So when you start with anopening curiosity and not you've
got to move thing, this helpsthem self-discover, which is the
(09:57):
way they think it's their idea.
It's just having an opendialogue and just questioning
what they think Let them be partof the process.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
As far as yeah, like you said, like it's their idea,
oh, yeah.
I thought about that already.
Anyway, exactly the transactionto smooth the transition.
I'm sorry, smooth thetransition to get them going
there.
So that that's great.
Yeah, because I'm so happy thatI didn't really have to go.
I did have to go through thatwith my mother.
I said, mom, you're going inthe nursing home because she had
rheumatoid arthritis, but youknow what, you're going to keep
(10:25):
going, you're going to keeptrying to walk so you can walk
out of there.
That was a conversation andthat's when she felt more
comfortable.
But it didn't happen that waybecause the rheumatoid arthritis
is caught where she couldn'teven walk anymore.
But yeah, but it's verydifficult to see our parents go
through that and you having thebusiness that you have, which
makes it easier and moresustainable, to say, okay, I
(10:48):
know, she stayed, he or she hasbeing taken care of.
So thank you for that.
I appreciate it.
So let me ask you something.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
So how does a home safety audit work, and what
kinds of things do you look for?
Well, I'll do a room-by-roomaudit, looking at both safety
and function, keeping those inmind.
I also look at the outsidewalkways from the street and
from the driveway, the entrancesand exits, and also, if there's
a basement, how they get intothe basement, and I'm looking
for things like tripping hazardsor poor lighting or hard to
reach storage locations, butalso how the space works for
(11:23):
them.
Can they safely get from thebathroom, from their bed, to the
bathroom at night, or can theysit and rest while they cook?
The bathroom from their bed tothe bathroom at night, or can
they sit and rest while theycook?
It's about making sure that thehouse works for them, not
against them, and that makessense.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Yeah, because a lot of falls happen during those
times.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Exactly.
I was at a networking eventwhere an occupational therapist
was talking and I have a bedthat's like really high and I
have to like drop to the floorto get to the floor, and she
pointed out that before you getout of bed you should point and
flex your toes you know yourfeet and then swing over and sit
there for a few seconds beforeyou get up, because I've
definitely gotten up too fastand did a little dizziness and
(12:05):
that's when you fall, and fallslike can be a killer for seniors
.
I think.
Hospitalizations come from 70%of the falls and deaths a large
percentage of that as well.
So we want to prevent falls atall costs.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
The thing about it.
It's not just, it seems likethe age, and this happens not
just 65 and over, it's happenedto younger people.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Or people with disabilities or balance.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Yes, yes, yeah.
So what advice do you have foradult children who are unsure
how to start this conversationwith their parents again?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
I think I mentioned start with curiosity, not
criticism.
It's just hard to.
I know.
I know when I was working, whenI was with my mom, that there
were times when I could get alittle aggravated.
But I had to take a pause, takea step back, be kind, be
empathetic for what she's goingthrough, understand that it's
not like she can help it andjust be kind about it and again,
(13:04):
just see what I can suggest,point out to her to look at what
she would like to have in herlife and how we can make the
changes together.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Yeah, and it's just really just having a more common
ground.
Let's talk about this andbecause I know it's hard, Jane,
when they have dementia startcoming in as far as a memory, I
know it's hard for parents andalso for the children.
It was hard for me with myfather.
I know he was a high levelsales regional manager and the
freedom all of a sudden declinedto where they can't remember.
(13:41):
You know that was really hard tolet go, but it helped me to let
go because I know this is notmy father anymore.
I want him to be at peace.
It really makes a bigdifference.
But the hard part is I was justtalking to my girlfriend is
letting him go.
True, when you let him go,that's the hardest part of this.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
I was so lucky my mom lived to be 91.
She lived by herself in her ownhome.
She played cards on Friday andthen went into the hospital on
Saturday and then passed away onMonday.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
So it was like when she had been having health
issues.
It never got to that pointwhere we really had to step in
and manage.
That makes it take the keysaway.
It used to be like driving foryou.
It used to be okay.
The seniors drive in theafternoon, like lunch hour.
So beware, no, then you have toknow when it's the right time
to be able to do that.
So that's really true.
So can you share a story whereyour support made a major
difference in someone'stransition?
I can.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
I was working with a couple, fred and Joyce, and they
lived in the house that theyhad raised their kids in and
wanted to downsize.
So we started looking at reallycute condos in downtown Decatur
where it's so walkable andvibrant.
And then COVID hit and so theywere stuck at home for those
three years of COVID and thenfast forward to after post-COVID
(14:58):
.
They were starting ready tolook again but they were not in
a condition where they could gointo an apartment by themselves.
Fred had recovered fromprostate cancer, joyce had
gotten so much frailer.
It was sad for me to see thatdecline over those years.
That took a toll on a lot ofseniors, if it didn't kill them
(15:19):
outright.
But I helped them out, get ridof their stuff.
We had a big estate salebecause they had 30 years of
children and all sorts ofhousehold stuff.
So we had to help them statesale and help them sell their
homes so that they could thenmove into Holbrook, that really
lovely community.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
That is a beautiful place, without any worry.
Yeah, yeah, that is hard to see.
They're making a lot of thesemore beautiful, true.
Oh, I've been to see.
They're making a lot of thesemore beautiful, true.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Oh, I've been to some really nice ones, for sure,
yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I have too.
I was like wow, they have agambling, a casino room, a
restaurant.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
They've got vans, Socials, they take care of them
Because the social part is soimportant when you live by
yourself that I think reallyhastens a decline as well.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Yeah, it really does.
It really does.
No, that is so true.
So let me ask you anotherquestion here why is
collaboration with professionalslike occupational therapists so
important in your work?
Speaker 3 (16:19):
No one can do it alone.
Occupational therapists bringthat clinical lens that's just
so valuable when we're trying tocreate a safe and functional
living space.
I may see a cluttered doorway,but an occupational therapist
sees a fall risk or visual ormobility issue that I may not
have identified.
So when we collaborate wereally create a truly customized
(16:41):
solution to help seniors notjust stay in their home but
thrive there.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
That's great, that's great and that is so.
That's so true, because youreally need to have other
professionals to work with youto make sure there is a safe
environment.
So, thank you, I have got atool bag.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
I have got a tool bag of all sorts of great senior
other senior providers that arejust as passionate as me about
serving the senior community andlike senior move managers or
placement people or declutterersand organizers and lenders with
reverse mortgage.
I've got all sorts of folksthat are great that I can help
(17:16):
seniors and their families makethrough these transitions.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
That's awesome that you have that, because you
really need that workingtogether, and that's why I say
collaboration is so key to beable to bring everybody together
to make sure that client istaken care of in every aspect of
the way.
So that is so important and Iappreciate you doing that.
When this happens to us, I'mgoing to call Jane.
I'm going to say, jane, I needyour help, please do I'm here I
(17:41):
need your help.
So what are some key documentsevery senior household should
have in order?
Speaker 3 (17:47):
of course, a recent will, power of attorney and a
health care directive.
Those are the three major ones.
Now, if you have a trust, thatwould be another thing that you
might want to have.
But just as important as makingsure these documents are in
place is knowing where to findthem.
I had a case where I was workingwith.
I had a referral for a familywhose brother passed away in
(18:10):
Hiram all by himself.
They had they found that he wasdead with a healthcare check,
because they hadn't heard fromhim in a couple of weeks and
they had no idea where anythingwas no account numbers, no
passwords.
So it's so important todocument, document and make sure
the folks that are going to beproviding, taking care of things
after you're gone, are there.
(18:31):
And I want to share I don'tknow if you all heard it's
called the vial of life and nowit's called the file of life and
this is something that hasmagnets and it goes on your
fridge and then you fill outthis document that has all your
necessary health information,your contacts, your medications,
any allergies, emergencycontacts and first responders
(18:54):
know to look for that If theycome in an emergency situation,
they look for this and take itwith them so that when they get
you to the hospital, they knowhow to treat you.
You can get these at any numberof places.
You can reach out to me.
I'll be glad to help you.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Okay, that's great, I love that.
So I actually of course what Ido with Legal Shield.
That's why I be networking,because a lot of people, like
seniors, don't have that powerof attorney, healthcare power.
Every time you go to the doctorthey ask you for that advanced
direct.
But I also put a pack like whatyou have.
I put a package together direct, but I also put a pack like
what you have.
I put a package together.
Once they have all that, it'scalled legal love letter,
putting all the information, thebank account, the financial
(19:31):
information, all of that,putting all that in that, that
file to be able to have to sharewith someone that they trust.
So that is so important becauseyou know when things happen you
don't have, you don't knowanything, you don't know then
you're.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
You're incapable of telling someone sometimes as
well.
Exactly, I have a checklist aswell too, just similar to the
what you have for the yeah, foryour folks, that a checklist for
all those necessary stuff, andthere's a lot like pages.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Yeah, it really is.
It really is.
And actually it's funny becauseI start calling mine's a legal
love letter.
All of a sudden you can startcalling that.
That was my name.
I had that years ago.
I should have copied that.
I should have read that, but no, it's great.
But no, these are some greatinformation, jane.
I really appreciate it.
So I'm looking at somethinghere as we wind it down.
(20:21):
Senior home coach Jane Loomiswill create your complimentary
move plan, help you prepare yourhouse to sell, assist in
finding your new community, meetyour goals to move and guide
you every step of the way.
So, jane, this is awesome.
So tell the audience how theycan get in touch with you.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
You can reach me by phone.
My number is 678-374-9370.
My email is jane atcherokeeroseatlcom.
That'sC-H-E-R-O-K-E-E-R-O-S-E-A-T-Lcom
(21:00):
, and my website is SeniorLiving Solutions.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
Okay, that's great, and I'm going to put that in the
show notes anyway, with whatyou get as far as your website
and also your Facebook Instagramlink.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
Yes, I'm on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Yes, definitely.
So, yeah, I'm going to put allof that in the show notes to get
in touch with you.
So I really enjoyed thisconversation, jane.
You teach me a lot here as faras what you do.
It was so inspiring to knowthat there are people like you
that can help seniors, becauseyou know, what?
We're all going to be seniorssooner or later, so why not be
(21:36):
prepared to be able to handlethe different situations that we
come into?
But, jane, thank you for beinghere and sharing such a powerful
insight.
Your words remind us thatpurpose and partnerships go hand
in hand.
To everyone listening, keepshowing up, stay in line and
remember collaboration is thekey to success.
I'm Wanda Pearson and we'll seeyou next time on Ready Set
(22:00):
Collaborate podcast with WandaPearson.
Thank you so much.
Make sure you all follow,because we have so many great
episodes, such as Jane, thatactually can assist you in any
situation.
So that's why I do this.
But, jane, thanks again.
I think you can do a wholeseries on seniors.
Wanda, exactly, I'm going tohave you back on my show, so
(22:20):
stay tuned.
It wasn't that bad right?
Not at all.
It was great.
All right audience.
Thank you so much.
Make sure you listen to thispodcast and get to know more
about Jane.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, jane, for joining us.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
That wraps up another episode of Ready Set.
Collaborate with Wanda Pearson.
I hope you found inspirationand valuable insights to help
you build meaningful connectionsand successful collaborations.
If you enjoyed today'sconversation, be sure to
subscribe, share and stay tunedfor more great discussions.
Until next time, keepcollaborating and making an
(22:57):
impact.
Welcome to Ready Set.
Collaborate with Wanda Pearson.
This is where ideas spark,connections grow and
collaborations fuse success.
Tune in for inspiring stories,expert insights and
game-changing conversations.
Let's build, connect and thrivetogether.
Remember collaboration is thekey to success.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome, welcome to the Ready Set Collaborate.
I'm your host, wanda Pearson,and today I'm joined by an
incredible Jane Lomas.
Did I say it right, jane?
Yes, ma'am, you did.
Okay, good, jane Lomas.
She's a powerhouse of purpose,passion and collaboration, as
well as with her real estate aswell.
So whether she's leading orcreating or inspiring, jane is
(00:50):
about impact.
Get ready for a powerful anduplifting conversation.
Welcome, jane, to the Ready SetCollaborate podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:58):
So say hello to the audience, jane.
Hello everyone, I'm Jane andthank you, wanda, for inviting
me.
I'm really excited about beinghere on Ready Set, collaborate
yes, yes, everyone, I'm Jane andthank you, wanda, for inviting
me.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
I'm really excited about being here on Ready Set.
Collaborate, yes, yes,definitely Collaborate.
I always say collaboration isthe key to success.
This is how you never know whoyou're going to meet when you're
networking.
So true, and it's just amazinghow our paths have crossed again
, oh God it's been like overseveral years, right Networking
with one of our favorite ladiesthere Favorite ladies, yes, yes.
(01:27):
So thank you so much for comingto my podcast, Basic
Collaborative.
It's about education andempowering people, and that's
really what I wanted to have youon to educate and empower
people about what you do as well.
So let me get to the point here.
Let me get to Jane's bio.
Jane is the founder of CherokeeRose Senior Living Solutions and
a certified senior home coach.
She helps older adults andtheir families make competent
(01:50):
decisions about where and how toage well.
By combining home safety audits, planning, support and a
network of trusted professionals.
Jane guides her clients throughhousing transitions with
compassion, clarity and peace ofmind.
I love this, Jane, because wereally need more people like you
.
When we start getting older, wedon't know what to do.
(02:12):
We rely on the children oradult children, but to have you
as far as helping them to bemaking more smoother, a smoother
transaction, that's really whatit's all about Jane.
tell us a little bit more aboutyourself.
I know I read your bio, buttell us a little bit more about
you.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
I live in Decatur.
I live near my brothers andsisters, so that's nice.
I moved to Georgia to be closerto my siblings and I'm so glad
I did and I've really gottenentrenched in the community.
I'm on the Environmental andSustainability Board for the
city of Decatur.
I serve on the board of theAtlanta Geological Society
because I'm a geologist bydegree as well and I just like
(02:50):
to get involved and do thingsand I like flowers and plants.
And I am passionate aboutserving seniors because I've
been through it myself and Iknow what people have been
through and I want to be aresource for them.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
That's awesome.
That's awesome.
I tell you, god bless you,because we really need that,
especially now in today's world,because a lot of compassion is
left out, because when you'regoing through selling your home
or getting a home, that's a lot,that's a lot, that's a major
life change.
I would say yeah exactly ExactlyBecause I remember when I
worked for IBM.
I retired since then but theymoved us here from New Jersey to
(03:24):
Georgia.
I didn't know anything aboutGeorgia, I didn't have family
here in Georgia, so I did have agreat realtor that actually I
told her what I wanted.
And then we had a daughter thatwas a junior in high school.
She was not too happy with me,Said we're moving to Georgia
from New Jersey?
I bet not.
I said but you have no choice.
Mommy has 25 years at IBM, sowe got to move to Georgia.
So just having the compassionand knowing what people want,
(03:45):
that really is so important.
So I love that.
So let me ask you somequestions here now.
Sure, what inspired you tobecome a senior home coach and
start Cherokee Rose SeniorLiving Solutions?
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Honestly, it's deeply personal for me because I
became a senior home coach afterhelping my mom walk through her
final years in a seniorcommunity in Florida and I saw
how overwhelming it can be.
She had things really set up,she had her trust, she was in a
community that took care of her,but I saw how a lot of other
(04:17):
seniors don't, and their kids,when they see this happening to
their parents, have no idea whatto do.
So I saw that the overwhelmcould be huge and I wanted to be
someone who could help them,both on the emotional and
practical sides.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
That's great.
That's great that you do that,because we really need more
people like you to do that,because now, with everything
that's happening in the worldtoday, it's so hard to know what
to do, especially when we startgetting older.
How do you transition to thedifferent things?
Speaker 3 (04:45):
The silver tsunami is here.
Yeah, we've got so many folksturning 65.
I think it's like over 11,000 aday are turning 65 years old
and I don't think society isready, equipped to house them
and provide health care and takecare of them the way they
should be.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
I love it.
I love it.
I love that you're doing thisfor them.
That's just like you're doingthe same thing as far as helping
others.
That's so important.
Who has supported and furtheredyour education about working in
a senior niche?
Speaker 3 (05:15):
I've gotten a few designations through my real
estate business.
I've gotten a senior realestate specialist.
That was several years ago butit was really a broad brush of a
certification, didn't reallytell me what to do.
And then I became a certifiedprobate specialist so I could
help people who had a death inthe family and they've got to
take care of the home that's inthe trust or in the will and
(05:37):
help them sell that.
And then I met CatherineAmbrose and became a senior home
coach and that kind of hassolidified for me my purpose.
There's just so much involvedin what we do and Catherine has
helped encapsulate it and isteaching us Go a little bit.
I'll tell you about her.
She's just great.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
That's awesome.
So that's your collaborationpartner as far as helping.
She's the chief, she's the bighead.
Yeah, that's awesome, that'sawesome.
It's always good to havesomebody else that can actually
work with you along where youare here.
So tell me about the SeniorCall and media education.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
She has a radio show and she's also on the TV a
couple times and she startedwhat's called the Senior Call,
which is a daily mastermind ofsenior providers and it's not
just realtors.
We've got senior move managers,we've got lenders, we've got
some transition helping them,placement people involved, and
it's every day in the morning.
And then there's two morein-depth, deep dive coaching per
(06:49):
week for the people that aremembers and she's really just
helped us know what we'relooking for, know what to do
With the broad brush from SRES.
Catherine has encapsulated itinto a lot of how-tos and really
helped us move things along.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
That's awesome.
That's awesome to do that,because we need more of these in
this world.
We really do Because, like yousaid, the tsunami the senior
tsunami it is coming.
A lot of people are turning 65and not knowing what to do with
everything that's happening,with all that's going on.
We just need to make sure thatthey're taken care of, and
that's true.
I really admire you andCatherine for doing this for our
(07:28):
seniors.
Listen, I'm a senior too.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
I think we've got over a hundred senior home
coaches in the group, and thenthere are other folks that just
joined in.
Yeah, so there are, we'regrowing.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
That's awesome.
So now, is that all over theworld, or is it in Georgia?
Is it Florida?
It's all over the country We'vegot people in Canada too, I
think.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
So we are pretty spread out, and because it's
everywhere, you know, there areyeah.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
I love that.
I love that, that you're doingthat here, and it's good that
I'm having you on the podcast sopeople know that this is so you
talk about aging in the rightplace.
Can you explain what that meansand why it matters?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Sure, most of the real estate right now is held by
boomers, and I'd say 90% ofthose boomers want to age in
place.
But really, is that the rightplace?
It's a great concept, butsometimes the current place that
they're living in just isn'tthe best fit.
So when I talk about aging inthe right place whether that's I
talk about aging in the rightplace, whether that's their home
(08:22):
, a downsized condo or maybe asenior community I want to make
sure that they feel safe,supported and that they can live
well moving forward.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Yeah, and that's so true, and I'm sure the adult
children, that has to deal withthis with their parents.
It's a blessing for them tohave you all as a senior coach,
a senior helping them to be ableto transition over more easily.
A lot of our parents.
They don't want to go, theydon't want to do this.
Speaker 3 (08:46):
Oh, they don't, and it's hard to yes.
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
I know my father.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
I always want my mother and father.
I've never wanted them to gointo a nursing home.
That was one of the things thatI just never wanted them to do.
But sometimes my father haddementia and it was aggressive
dementia.
We didn't want to put him therebut he had to end up going
there.
But thank God for my second mom, she was able to be there every
day.
That's great.
He was taken care of.
And then my mom, who actuallymy birth mom.
(09:11):
She died actually the day afterI moved here.
She was on hospice.
So it's like she waited for meto move to Georgia, you know, to
die, but I already had all herinformation already taken care
of.
So you know it makes adifference to have you, to be
able to guide you along, to dowhat you need to do for the
parents.
So let's talk about some keyconversations adult children
should be having with theiraging parents.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
It's not about having .
It's not, I'm sorry.
It's about coming fromcuriosity and asking questions
and seeing where they want to,where they're going to feel most
comfortable when they get older.
It's a hard conversation tohave.
So when you start with anopening curiosity and not you've
got to move thing, this helpsthem self-discover, which is the
(09:57):
way they think it's their idea.
It's just having an opendialogue and just questioning
what they think Let them be partof the process.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
As far as yeah, like you said, like it's their idea,
oh, yeah.
I thought about that already.
Anyway, exactly the transactionto smooth the transition.
I'm sorry, smooth thetransition to get them going
there.
So that that's great.
Yeah, because I'm so happy thatI didn't really have to go.
I did have to go through thatwith my mother.
I said, mom, you're going inthe nursing home because she had
rheumatoid arthritis, but youknow what, you're going to keep
(10:25):
going, you're going to keeptrying to walk so you can walk
out of there.
That was a conversation andthat's when she felt more
comfortable.
But it didn't happen that waybecause the rheumatoid arthritis
is caught where she couldn'teven walk anymore.
But yeah, but it's verydifficult to see our parents go
through that and you having thebusiness that you have, which
makes it easier and moresustainable, to say, okay, I
(10:48):
know, she stayed, he or she hasbeing taken care of.
So thank you for that.
I appreciate it.
So let me ask you something.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
So how does a home safety audit work, and what
kinds of things do you look for?
Well, I'll do a room-by-roomaudit, looking at both safety
and function, keeping those inmind.
I also look at the outsidewalkways from the street and
from the driveway, the entrancesand exits, and also, if there's
a basement, how they get intothe basement, and I'm looking
for things like tripping hazardsor poor lighting or hard to
reach storage locations, butalso how the space works for
(11:23):
them.
Can they safely get from thebathroom, from their bed, to the
bathroom at night, or can theysit and rest while they cook?
The bathroom from their bed tothe bathroom at night, or can
they sit and rest while theycook?
It's about making sure that thehouse works for them, not
against them, and that makessense.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Yeah, because a lot of falls happen during those
times.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
Exactly.
I was at a networking eventwhere an occupational therapist
was talking and I have a bedthat's like really high and I
have to like drop to the floorto get to the floor, and she
pointed out that before you getout of bed you should point and
flex your toes you know yourfeet and then swing over and sit
there for a few seconds beforeyou get up, because I've
definitely gotten up too fastand did a little dizziness and
(12:05):
that's when you fall, and fallslike can be a killer for seniors
.
I think.
Hospitalizations come from 70%of the falls and deaths a large
percentage of that as well.
So we want to prevent falls atall costs.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
The thing about it.
It's not just, it seems likethe age, and this happens not
just 65 and over, it's happenedto younger people.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Or people with disabilities or balance.
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Yes, yes, yeah.
So what advice do you have foradult children who are unsure
how to start this conversationwith their parents again?
Speaker 3 (12:39):
I think I mentioned start with curiosity, not
criticism.
It's just hard to.
I know.
I know when I was working, whenI was with my mom, that there
were times when I could get alittle aggravated.
But I had to take a pause, takea step back, be kind, be
empathetic for what she's goingthrough, understand that it's
not like she can help it andjust be kind about it and again,
(13:04):
just see what I can suggest,point out to her to look at what
she would like to have in herlife and how we can make the
changes together.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Yeah, and it's just really just having a more common
ground.
Let's talk about this andbecause I know it's hard, Jane,
when they have dementia startcoming in as far as a memory, I
know it's hard for parents andalso for the children.
It was hard for me with myfather.
I know he was a high levelsales regional manager and the
freedom all of a sudden declinedto where they can't remember.
(13:41):
You know that was really hard tolet go, but it helped me to let
go because I know this is notmy father anymore.
I want him to be at peace.
It really makes a bigdifference.
But the hard part is I was justtalking to my girlfriend is
letting him go.
True, when you let him go,that's the hardest part of this.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
I was so lucky my mom lived to be 91.
She lived by herself in her ownhome.
She played cards on Friday andthen went into the hospital on
Saturday and then passed away onMonday.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
So it was like when she had been having health
issues.
It never got to that pointwhere we really had to step in
and manage.
That makes it take the keysaway.
It used to be like driving foryou.
It used to be okay.
The seniors drive in theafternoon, like lunch hour.
So beware, no, then you have toknow when it's the right time
to be able to do that.
So that's really true.
So can you share a story whereyour support made a major
difference in someone'stransition?
I can.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
I was working with a couple, fred and Joyce, and they
lived in the house that theyhad raised their kids in and
wanted to downsize.
So we started looking at reallycute condos in downtown Decatur
where it's so walkable andvibrant.
And then COVID hit and so theywere stuck at home for those
three years of COVID and thenfast forward to after post-COVID
(14:58):
.
They were starting ready tolook again but they were not in
a condition where they could gointo an apartment by themselves.
Fred had recovered fromprostate cancer, joyce had
gotten so much frailer.
It was sad for me to see thatdecline over those years.
That took a toll on a lot ofseniors, if it didn't kill them
(15:19):
outright.
But I helped them out, get ridof their stuff.
We had a big estate salebecause they had 30 years of
children and all sorts ofhousehold stuff.
So we had to help them statesale and help them sell their
homes so that they could thenmove into Holbrook, that really
lovely community.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
That is a beautiful place, without any worry.
Yeah, yeah, that is hard to see.
They're making a lot of thesemore beautiful, true.
Oh, I've been to see.
They're making a lot of thesemore beautiful, true.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Oh, I've been to some really nice ones, for sure,
yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I have too.
I was like wow, they have agambling, a casino room, a
restaurant.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
They've got vans, Socials, they take care of them
Because the social part is soimportant when you live by
yourself that I think reallyhastens a decline as well.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Yeah, it really does.
It really does.
No, that is so true.
So let me ask you anotherquestion here why is
collaboration with professionalslike occupational therapists so
important in your work?
Speaker 3 (16:19):
No one can do it alone.
Occupational therapists bringthat clinical lens that's just
so valuable when we're trying tocreate a safe and functional
living space.
I may see a cluttered doorway,but an occupational therapist
sees a fall risk or visual ormobility issue that I may not
have identified.
So when we collaborate wereally create a truly customized
(16:41):
solution to help seniors notjust stay in their home but
thrive there.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
That's great, that's great and that is so.
That's so true, because youreally need to have other
professionals to work with youto make sure there is a safe
environment.
So, thank you, I have got atool bag.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
I have got a tool bag of all sorts of great senior
other senior providers that arejust as passionate as me about
serving the senior community andlike senior move managers or
placement people or declutterersand organizers and lenders with
reverse mortgage.
I've got all sorts of folksthat are great that I can help
(17:16):
seniors and their families makethrough these transitions.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
That's awesome that you have that, because you
really need that workingtogether, and that's why I say
collaboration is so key to beable to bring everybody together
to make sure that client istaken care of in every aspect of
the way.
So that is so important and Iappreciate you doing that.
When this happens to us, I'mgoing to call Jane.
I'm going to say, jane, I needyour help, please do I'm here I
(17:41):
need your help.
So what are some key documentsevery senior household should
have in order?
Speaker 3 (17:47):
of course, a recent will, power of attorney and a
health care directive.
Those are the three major ones.
Now, if you have a trust, thatwould be another thing that you
might want to have.
But just as important as makingsure these documents are in
place is knowing where to findthem.
I had a case where I was workingwith.
I had a referral for a familywhose brother passed away in
(18:10):
Hiram all by himself.
They had they found that he wasdead with a healthcare check,
because they hadn't heard fromhim in a couple of weeks and
they had no idea where anythingwas no account numbers, no
passwords.
So it's so important todocument, document and make sure
the folks that are going to beproviding, taking care of things
after you're gone, are there.
(18:31):
And I want to share I don'tknow if you all heard it's
called the vial of life and nowit's called the file of life and
this is something that hasmagnets and it goes on your
fridge and then you fill outthis document that has all your
necessary health information,your contacts, your medications,
any allergies, emergencycontacts and first responders
(18:54):
know to look for that If theycome in an emergency situation,
they look for this and take itwith them so that when they get
you to the hospital, they knowhow to treat you.
You can get these at any numberof places.
You can reach out to me.
I'll be glad to help you.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Okay, that's great, I love that.
So I actually of course what Ido with Legal Shield.
That's why I be networking,because a lot of people, like
seniors, don't have that powerof attorney, healthcare power.
Every time you go to the doctorthey ask you for that advanced
direct.
But I also put a pack like whatyou have.
I put a package together direct, but I also put a pack like
what you have.
I put a package together.
Once they have all that, it'scalled legal love letter,
putting all the information, thebank account, the financial
(19:31):
information, all of that,putting all that in that, that
file to be able to have to sharewith someone that they trust.
So that is so important becauseyou know when things happen you
don't have, you don't knowanything, you don't know then
you're.
Speaker 3 (19:44):
You're incapable of telling someone sometimes as
well.
Exactly, I have a checklist aswell too, just similar to the
what you have for the yeah, foryour folks, that a checklist for
all those necessary stuff, andthere's a lot like pages.
Speaker 2 (19:58):
Yeah, it really is.
It really is.
And actually it's funny becauseI start calling mine's a legal
love letter.
All of a sudden you can startcalling that.
That was my name.
I had that years ago.
I should have copied that.
I should have read that, but no, it's great.
But no, these are some greatinformation, jane.
I really appreciate it.
So I'm looking at somethinghere as we wind it down.
(20:21):
Senior home coach Jane Loomiswill create your complimentary
move plan, help you prepare yourhouse to sell, assist in
finding your new community, meetyour goals to move and guide
you every step of the way.
So, jane, this is awesome.
So tell the audience how theycan get in touch with you.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
You can reach me by phone.
My number is 678-374-9370.
My email is jane atcherokeeroseatlcom.
That'sC-H-E-R-O-K-E-E-R-O-S-E-A-T-Lcom
(21:00):
, and my website is SeniorLiving Solutions.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
Okay, that's great, and I'm going to put that in the
show notes anyway, with whatyou get as far as your website
and also your Facebook Instagramlink.
Speaker 3 (21:13):
Yes, I'm on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.
Speaker 2 (21:16):
Yes, definitely.
So, yeah, I'm going to put allof that in the show notes to get
in touch with you.
So I really enjoyed thisconversation, jane.
You teach me a lot here as faras what you do.
It was so inspiring to knowthat there are people like you
that can help seniors, becauseyou know, what?
We're all going to be seniorssooner or later, so why not be
(21:36):
prepared to be able to handlethe different situations that we
come into?
But, jane, thank you for beinghere and sharing such a powerful
insight.
Your words remind us thatpurpose and partnerships go hand
in hand.
To everyone listening, keepshowing up, stay in line and
remember collaboration is thekey to success.
I'm Wanda Pearson and we'll seeyou next time on Ready Set
(22:00):
Collaborate podcast with WandaPearson.
Thank you so much.
Make sure you all follow,because we have so many great
episodes, such as Jane, thatactually can assist you in any
situation.
So that's why I do this.
But, jane, thanks again.
I think you can do a wholeseries on seniors.
Wanda, exactly, I'm going tohave you back on my show, so
(22:20):
stay tuned.
It wasn't that bad right?
Not at all.
It was great.
All right audience.
Thank you so much.
Make sure you listen to thispodcast and get to know more
about Jane.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, jane, for joining us.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
That wraps up another episode of Ready Set.
Collaborate with Wanda Pearson.
I hope you found inspirationand valuable insights to help
you build meaningful connectionsand successful collaborations.
If you enjoyed today'sconversation, be sure to
subscribe, share and stay tunedfor more great discussions.
Until next time, keepcollaborating and making an
(22:57):
impact.
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