Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson
Ready Set Collaborate is a podcast with a wealth of knowledge on networking, collaboration, and partnership, unlocking the secrets to successful teamwork and Innovation. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or just someone who can understand the power of networking and collaboration. This podcast is your go-to resource. Join us as we explore the stories, strategies, and insights from experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who have experienced the magic of networking and collaboration to achieve successful results.
Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson
Guiding Seniors with Jane Lomas Through Life Transitions with Compassion and Expertise
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
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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 thrive together. Remember collaboration is the key to success.
Speaker 2: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 as well. So whether she's leading or creating or inspiring, jane is about impact. Get ready for a powerful and uplifting conversation. Welcome, jane, to the Ready Set Collaborate podcast.
Speaker 3:So say hello to the audience, jane. Hello everyone, I'm Jane and thank you, wanda, for inviting me. I'm really excited about being here on Ready Set, collaborate yes, yes, everyone, I'm Jane and thank you, wanda, for inviting me.
Speaker 2:I'm really excited about being here on Ready Set. Collaborate, yes, yes, definitely Collaborate. I always say collaboration is the key to success. This is how you never know who you're going to meet when you're networking.
Speaker 2:So true, and it's just amazing how our paths have crossed again, oh God it's been like over several years, right Networking with one of our favorite ladies there Favorite ladies, yes, yes. So thank you so much for coming to my podcast, Basic Collaborative. It's about education and empowering people, and that's really what I wanted to have you on 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.
Speaker 2:Jane is the founder of Cherokee Rose Senior Living Solutions and a certified senior home coach. She helps older adults and their families make competent decisions about where and how to age well. By combining home safety audits, planning, support and a network of trusted professionals. Jane guides her clients through housing transitions with compassion, clarity and peace of mind. I love this, Jane, because we really need more people like you. When we start getting older, we don't know what to do. We rely on the children or adult children, but to have you as far as helping them to be making more smoother, a smoother transaction, that's really what it's all about Jane.
Speaker 2:tell us a little bit more about yourself. I know I read your bio, but tell us a little bit more about you.
Speaker 3:I live in Decatur. I live near my brothers and sisters, so that's nice. I moved to Georgia to be closer to my siblings and I'm so glad I did and I've really gotten entrenched in the community. I'm on the Environmental and Sustainability Board for the city of Decatur. I serve on the board of the Atlanta Geological Society because I'm a geologist by degree as well and I just like to get involved and do things and I like flowers and plants. And I am passionate about serving seniors because I've been through it myself and I know what people have been through and I want to be a resource for them.
Speaker 2: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're going through selling your home or getting a home, that's a lot, that's a lot, that's a major life change.
Speaker 2:I would say yeah exactly Exactly Because I remember when I worked for IBM. I retired since then but they moved us here from New Jersey to Georgia. I didn't know anything about Georgia, I didn't have family here in Georgia, so I did have a great realtor that actually I told her what I wanted. And then we had a daughter that was 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, so we got to move to Georgia. So just having the compassion and knowing what people want, that really is so important. So I love that. So let me ask you some questions here now. Sure, what inspired you to become a senior home coach and start Cherokee Rose Senior Living Solutions?
Speaker 3:Honestly, it's deeply personal for me because I became a senior home coach after helping my mom walk through her final years in a senior community 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 seniors don't, and their kids, when they see this happening to their parents, have no idea what to do. So I saw that the overwhelm could be huge and I wanted to be someone who could help them, both on the emotional and practical sides.
Speaker 2: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 world today, it's so hard to know what to do, especially when we start getting older. How do you transition to the different things?
Speaker 3:The silver tsunami is here. Yeah, we've got so many folks turning 65. I think it's like over 11,000 a day are turning 65 years old and I don't think society is ready, equipped to house them and provide health care and take care of them the way they should be.
Speaker 2:I love it. I love it. I love that you're doing this for them. That's just like you're doing the same thing as far as helping others. That's so important. Who has supported and furthered your education about working in a senior niche?
Speaker 3:I've gotten a few designations through my real estate business. I've gotten a senior real estate specialist. That was several years ago but it was really a broad brush of a certification, didn't really tell me what to do. And then I became a certified probate specialist so I could help people who had a death in the family and they've got to take care of the home that's in the trust or in the will and help them sell that. And then I met Catherine Ambrose and became a senior home coach and that kind of has solidified for me my purpose. There's just so much involved in what we do and Catherine has helped encapsulate it and is teaching us Go a little bit. I'll tell you about her. She's just great.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. So that's your collaboration partner as far as helping. She's the chief, she's the big head. Yeah, that's awesome, that's awesome. It's always good to have somebody else that can actually work with you along where you are here. So tell me about the Senior Call and media education.
Speaker 3:She has a radio show and she's also on the TV a couple times and she started what's called the Senior Call, which is a daily mastermind of senior 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 more in-depth, deep dive coaching per week for the people that are members and she's really just helped us know what we're looking for, know what to do With the broad brush from SRES. Catherine has encapsulated it into a lot of how-tos and really helped us move things along.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. That's awesome to do that, because we need more of these in this world. We really do Because, like you said, the tsunami the senior tsunami it is coming. A lot of people are turning 65 and not knowing what to do with everything that's happening, with all that's going on. We just need to make sure that they're taken care of, and that's true. I really admire you and Catherine for doing this for our seniors. Listen, I'm a senior too.
Speaker 3:I think we've got over a hundred senior home coaches in the group, and then there are other folks that just joined in. Yeah, so there are, we're growing.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. So now, is that all over the world, or is it in Georgia? Is it Florida? It's all over the country We've got people in Canada too, I think.
Speaker 3:So we are pretty spread out, and because it's everywhere, you know, there are yeah.
Speaker 2:I love that. I love that, that you're doing that here, and it's good that I'm having you on the podcast so people know that this is so you talk about aging in the right place. Can you explain what that means and why it matters?
Speaker 3:Sure, most of the real estate right now is held by boomers, and I'd say 90% of those boomers want to age in place. But really, is that the right place? It's a great concept, but sometimes the current place that they're living in just isn't the best fit. So when I talk about aging in the right place whether that's I talk about aging in the right place, whether that's their home, a downsized condo or maybe a senior community I want to make sure that they feel safe, supported and that they can live well moving forward.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and that's so true, and I'm sure the adult children, that has to deal with this with their parents. It's a blessing for them to have you all as a senior coach, a senior helping them to be able to transition over more easily. A lot of our parents. They don't want to go, they don't want to do this.
Speaker 3:Oh, they don't, and it's hard to yes.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:I know my father.
Speaker 2:I always want my mother and father. I've never wanted them to go into a nursing home. That was one of the things that I just never wanted them to do. But sometimes my father had dementia and it was aggressive dementia. We didn't want to put him there but 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 actually my birth mom. She died actually the day after I moved here. She was on hospice. So it's like she waited for me to move to Georgia, you know, to die, but I already had all her information already taken care of.
Speaker 2:So you know it makes a difference to have you, to be able to guide you along, to do what you need to do for the parents. So let's talk about some key conversations adult children should be having with their aging parents.
Speaker 3:It's not about having. It's not, I'm sorry. It's about coming from curiosity 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 to have. So when you start with an opening curiosity and not you've got to move thing, this helps them self-discover, which is the way they think it's their idea. It's just having an open dialogue and just questioning what they think Let them be part of the process.
Speaker 2:As far as yeah, like you said, like it's their idea, oh, yeah.
Speaker 2:I thought about that already. Anyway, exactly the transaction to smooth the transition. I'm sorry, smooth the transition to get them going there. So that that's great. Yeah, because I'm so happy that I didn't really have to go. I did have to go through that with my mother. I said, mom, you're going in the nursing home because she had rheumatoid arthritis, but you know what, you're going to keep going, you're going to keep trying to walk so you can walk out of there. That was a conversation and that's when she felt more comfortable. But it didn't happen that way because the rheumatoid arthritis is caught where she couldn't even walk anymore. But yeah, but it's very difficult to see our parents go through that and you having the business that you have, which makes it easier and more sustainable, to say, okay, I know, she stayed, he or she has being taken care of. So thank you for that. I appreciate it. So let me ask you something.
Speaker 3:So how does a home safety audit work, and what kinds of things do you look for? Well, I'll do a room-by-room audit, looking at both safety and function, keeping those in mind. I also look at the outside walkways from the street and from the driveway, the entrances and exits, and also, if there's a basement, how they get into the basement, and I'm looking for things like tripping hazards or poor lighting or hard to reach storage locations, but also how the space works for them. Can they safely get from the bathroom, from their bed, to the bathroom at night, or can they sit and rest while they cook? The bathroom from their bed to the bathroom at night, or can they sit and rest while they cook? It's about making sure that the house works for them, not against them, and that makes sense.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because a lot of falls happen during those times.
Speaker 3:Exactly. I was at a networking event where an occupational therapist was talking and I have a bed that's like really high and I have to like drop to the floor to get to the floor, and she pointed out that before you get out of bed you should point and flex your toes you know your feet and then swing over and sit there for a few seconds before you get up, because I've definitely gotten up too fast and did a little dizziness and that's when you fall, and falls like 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 at all costs.
Speaker 2:The thing about it. It's not just, it seems like the age, and this happens not just 65 and over, it's happened to younger people.
Speaker 3:Or people with disabilities or balance.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, yeah. So what advice do you have for adult children who are unsure how to start this conversation with their parents again?
Speaker 3:I think I mentioned start with curiosity, not criticism. It's just hard to. I know. I know when I was working, when I was with my mom, that there were times when I could get a little aggravated. But I had to take a pause, take a step back, be kind, be empathetic for what she's going through, understand that it's not like she can help it and just be kind about it and again, just see what I can suggest, point out to her to look at what she would like to have in her life and how we can make the changes together.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it's just really just having a more common ground. Let's talk about this and because I know it's hard, Jane, when they have dementia start coming in as far as a memory, I know it's hard for parents and also for the children. It was hard for me with my father. I know he was a high level sales regional manager and the freedom all of a sudden declined to where they can't remember.
Speaker 2:You know that was really hard to let go, but it helped me to let go because I know this is not my father anymore. I want him to be at peace. It really makes a big difference. But the hard part is I was just talking to my girlfriend is letting him go. True, when you let him go, that's the hardest part of this.
Speaker 3:I was so lucky my mom lived to be 91. She lived by herself in her own home. She played cards on Friday and then went into the hospital on Saturday and then passed away on Monday.
Speaker 2:So it was like when she had been having health issues. It never got to that point where we really had to step in and manage. That makes it take the keys away. It used to be like driving for you. It used to be okay. The seniors drive in the afternoon, like lunch hour. So beware, no, then you have to know when it's the right time to be able to do that. So that's really true. So can you share a story where your support made a major difference in someone's transition? I can.
Speaker 3:I was working with a couple, fred and Joyce, and they lived in the house that they had raised their kids in and wanted to downsize. So we started looking at really cute condos in downtown Decatur where it's so walkable and vibrant. And then COVID hit and so they were stuck at home for those three years of COVID and then fast forward to after post-COVID. They were starting ready to look again but they were not in a condition where they could go into an apartment by themselves. Fred had recovered from prostate cancer, joyce had gotten so much frailer. It was sad for me to see that decline over those years. That took a toll on a lot of seniors, if it didn't kill them outright. But I helped them out, get rid of their stuff. We had a big estate sale because they had 30 years of children and all sorts of household stuff. So we had to help them state sale and help them sell their homes so that they could then move into Holbrook, that really lovely community.
Speaker 2:That is a beautiful place, without any worry. Yeah, yeah, that is hard to see. They're making a lot of these more beautiful, true. Oh, I've been to see. They're making a lot of these more beautiful, true.
Speaker 3:Oh, I've been to some really nice ones, for sure, yeah.
Speaker 2:I have too. I was like wow, they have a gambling, a casino room, a restaurant.
Speaker 3:They've got vans, Socials, they take care of them Because the social part is so important when you live by yourself that I think really hastens a decline as well.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it really does. It really does. No, that is so true. So let me ask you another question here why is collaboration with professionals like occupational therapists so important in your work?
Speaker 3:No one can do it alone. Occupational therapists bring that clinical lens that's just so valuable when we're trying to create a safe and functional living space. I may see a cluttered doorway, but an occupational therapist sees a fall risk or visual or mobility issue that I may not have identified. So when we collaborate we really create a truly customized solution to help seniors not just stay in their home but thrive there.
Speaker 2:That's great, that's great and that is so. That's so true, because you really need to have other professionals to work with you to make sure there is a safe environment. So, thank you, I have got a tool bag.
Speaker 3:I have got a tool bag of all sorts of great senior other senior providers that are just as passionate as me about serving the senior community and like senior move managers or placement people or declutterers and organizers and lenders with reverse mortgage. I've got all sorts of folks that are great that I can help seniors and their families make through these transitions.
Speaker 2:That's awesome that you have that, because you really need that working together, and that's why I say collaboration is so key to be able to bring everybody together to make sure that client is taken care of in every aspect of the way. So that is so important and I appreciate you doing that. When this happens to us, I'm going to call Jane. I'm going to say, jane, I need your help, please do I'm here I need your help. So what are some key documents every senior household should have in order?
Speaker 3: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, that would be another thing that you might want to have. But just as important as making sure these documents are in place is knowing where to find them.
Speaker 3:I had a case where I was working with. I had a referral for a family whose brother passed away in Hiram all by himself. They had they found that he was dead with a healthcare check, because they hadn't heard from him in a couple of weeks and they had no idea where anything was no account numbers, no passwords. So it's so important to document, document and make sure the folks that are going to be providing, taking care of things after you're gone, are there. And I want to share I don't know if you all heard it's called the vial of life and now it's called the file of life and this is something that has magnets and it goes on your fridge and then you fill out this document that has all your necessary health information, your contacts, your medications, any allergies, emergency contacts and first responders know to look for that If they come in an emergency situation, they look for this and take it with them so that when they get you to the hospital, they know how to treat you.
Speaker 3:You can get these at any number of places. You can reach out to me. I'll be glad to help you.
Speaker 2:Okay, that's great, I love that. So I actually of course what I do with Legal Shield. That's why I be networking, because a lot of people, like seniors, don't have that power of attorney, healthcare power. Every time you go to the doctor they ask you for that advanced direct. But I also put a pack like what you 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's called legal love letter, putting all the information, the bank account, the financial information, all of that, putting all that in that, that file to be able to have to share with someone that they trust. So that is so important because you know when things happen you don't have, you don't know anything, you don't know then you're.
Speaker 3:You're incapable of telling someone sometimes as well. Exactly, I have a checklist as well too, just similar to the what you have for the yeah, for your folks, that a checklist for all those necessary stuff, and there's a lot like pages.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it really is. It really is. And actually it's funny because I start calling mine's a legal love letter. All of a sudden you can start calling 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 great information, jane. I really appreciate it. So I'm looking at something here as we wind it down. Senior home coach Jane Loomis will create your complimentary move plan, help you prepare your house to sell, assist in finding your new community, meet your goals to move and guide you every step of the way. So, jane, this is awesome. So tell the audience how they can get in touch with you.
Speaker 3:You can reach me by phone. My number is 678-374-9370. My email is jane at cherokeeroseatlcom. That's C-H-E-R-O-K-E-E-R-O-S-E-A-T-Lcom, and my website is Senior Living Solutions.
Speaker 2:Okay, that's great, and I'm going to put that in the show notes anyway, with what you get as far as your website and also your Facebook Instagram link.
Speaker 3:Yes, I'm on Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn.
Speaker 2:Yes, definitely. So, yeah, I'm going to put all of that in the show notes to get in touch with you. So I really enjoyed this conversation, jane. You teach me a lot here as far as what you do. It was so inspiring to know that there are people like you that can help seniors, because you know, what?
Speaker 2:We're all going to be seniors sooner or later, so why not be prepared to be able to handle the different situations that we come into? But, jane, thank you for being here and sharing such a powerful insight. Your words remind us that purpose and partnerships go hand in hand. To everyone listening, keep showing up, stay in line and remember collaboration is the key to success. I'm Wanda Pearson and we'll see you next time on Ready Set Collaborate podcast with Wanda Pearson. Thank you so much. Make sure you all follow, because we have so many great episodes, such as Jane, that actually can assist you in any situation. So that's why I do this. But, jane, thanks again. I think you can do a whole series on seniors. Wanda, exactly, I'm going to have you back on my show, so 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 this podcast and get to know more about Jane. Thank you so much. Thank you, jane, for joining us. Thank you.
Speaker 1:That wraps up another episode of Ready Set. Collaborate with Wanda Pearson. I hope you found inspiration and valuable insights to help you build meaningful connections and successful collaborations. If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to subscribe, share and stay tuned for more great discussions. Until next time, keep collaborating and making an impact.
