In this episode of the ALF Operations Podcast, we're joined by the powerhouse behind Brookshire Assisted Living in Melbourne, FL – Executive Director Dana Jarrett. From her humble beginnings as a CNA at 17 to now leading a 135-bed community with memory care, Dana shares her inspiring journey through the world of assisted living.

We dig into her roots growing up on a farm, the emotional turning point that led her to healthcare, and the real challenges (and victories) of turning around a struggling Medicaid facility. Dana opens up about building strong teams, managing with heart, and staying humble while leading from the front.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to thrive as an Executive Director—or you just need a shot of motivation—this episode is for you.

 Topics include:

• Transitioning from nurse to ED

• Turning around a challenging building

• Building strong staff culture

• Working in a saturated ALF market

• Marketing and leadership insights

• Advice for future EDs

Tune in and be inspired by a true leader who's doing it right, with passion, purpose, and a whole lot of hustle.

Welcome to the ALFBO Podcast, where we dive into real conversations with real people in the assisted living world. This week, I’m joined by the amazing Lynette Kramer from Casalia Gardens Assisted Living Facility—a six-bed, all-female memory care home that's about to expand to ten beds and beyond!

Lynette’s journey is the ultimate inspiration—from caregiver to assistant administrator to licensed administrator. She opens up about the steps she took to grow in the industry, the power of hands-on learning, and what it really takes to lead a facility with heart, hustle, and compliance in mind.

We talk about burnout, leadership, marketing, and why understanding every role in your facility makes you a better administrator. If you’re a caregiver wondering, “Can I really move up?” — this episode proves that you absolutely can.

Lynette’s energy is contagious, and her passion for resident care and personal growth shines through. Whether you're new to assisted living or already running a facility, this episode is packed with encouragement, insight, and practical advice.

Tune in and get inspired. Your next step might be one conversation away.

Welcome to the ALF Boss Podcast! This week, I’m joined by a special guest, Danielle Ruffner, Chief Wellness Director at Elevated Estates Properties. Danielle oversees the wellness directors and clinical operations across multiple communities, ensuring compliance and improving care systems.

In this episode, Danielle breaks down the day-to-day responsibilities of a wellness director, highlighting the importance of medication management, resident assessments, coordinating home health services, and ensuring compliance with medical orders. She shares insights into the challenges of managing five large communities, where she stays deeply involved in operations—visiting facilities, conducting assessments, and supporting her wellness directors.

We also dive into some of the biggest medical challenges, such as staying ahead of pressure sores, tracking resident condition changes, and maintaining strong communication with families. Danielle emphasizes the importance of compassion in caregiving and how assisted living allows for more meaningful interactions with residents compared to skilled nursing settings.

Finally, Danielle offers advice for those entering the industry, stressing that success comes from having a heart for the job. Compliance becomes easier when caregivers are truly invested in residents’ well-being.

Tune in to hear valuable insights from an expert dedicated to elevating resident care and compliance in assisted living! 

Welcome to this week’s episode of the ALF Boss Podcast! I’m excited to have a special guest and friend on the show, Merideth Bisel, Regional Director of Operations at Elite Assisted Living.

Merideth’s journey into the assisted living industry is an inspiring one—starting in healthcare right after high school, working with adults with disabilities, and later becoming a nurse. After moving to Florida just four years ago, she discovered the world of assisted living and quickly rose through the ranks, making a significant impact in the field.

In this episode, we dive into her career path, leadership insights, and experiences in senior living, along with the challenges and rewards of running assisted living communities. Whether you’re an ALF owner, operator, or industry professional, you’ll gain valuable takeaways from Merideth’s story and expertise.

Tune in now and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights into the ALF world!  #ALFBossPodcast #AssistedLiving #SeniorCare

Welcome to another exciting episode of the ALF Boss Podcast! Today, I’m sitting down with an absolute rockstar in the assisted living world—Roberta DeMeo, Executive Director of Grand Villa of New Port Richey.

With over eight years in assisted living and a background in home health since 1995, Roberta brings a wealth of experience, leadership, and passion to the industry. In this episode, we dive into:

 How she keeps her 150-bed facility nearly full year-round  The power of networking and marketing in the ALF industry  Why staff retention and strong management are key to success  The importance of compliance, and how Grand Villa has achieved six deficiency-free surveys  Why proactivity and communication with families and staff make all the difference

Roberta shares valuable insights on what it takes to thrive as an ALF operator, her journey into assisted living, and the key strategies that have led to her success. Whether you're an ALF owner, operator, or just starting out, this episode is packed with gems you won’t want to miss!

Tune in now and let’s talk ALF success! 

#AssistedLiving #ALFSuccess #SeniorCare #Networking #Marketing #Compliance #ALFBossPodcast

Welcome back to the ALF Boss Podcast! This week, I’m excited to sit down with a good friend, Nikita Jenkins, owner of YoungHearts Extended Assisted Living in Lottie and Stark, Florida. Nikita went from working as a board-certified mental health nurse to owning and operating two thriving assisted living facilities—one with six beds and another with 25.

In this episode, we dive into:  Her journey from nursing to assisted living ownership  The challenges of opening her first facility and how she filled her beds  The process of expanding to a larger 25-bed facility  The biggest struggles in running an ALF—staffing, Medicaid, and marketing  Her advice for new operators on networking and filling beds

Nikita shares her inspiring story of taking a leap of faith, leaving her nursing job, and building a business that serves her community. If you’re looking for insights on starting, growing, or running a successful assisted living facility—this episode is for you!

 Shoutout to YoungHearts Extended Assisted Living! Currently at full capacity with a waitlist, Nikita has built a trusted home for seniors in rural Florida.

 Tune in now and be inspired! #ALFBossPodcast #AssistedLiving #SeniorCare #Entrepreneurship

This week on the ALF Boss Podcast, I sit down with Pamela Quiroga, owner and administrator of Old Cutler Bay ALF, to discuss her journey from inheriting a single Limited Mental Health (LMH) facility to expanding her operations.

 How she got into the ALF industry unexpectedly  The challenges and rewards of running an LMH-focused ALF  Why LMH facilities are crucial for mental health care and homelessness solutions  The funding struggles LMH facilities face—and how to navigate them  How ALFs can advocate for better support and recognition in behavioral health

Pamela brings incredible insight into a critical but often overlooked sector of assisted living. We discuss why more facilities should consider serving the LMH population, how ALFs can help reduce psychiatric hospitalizations and homelessness, and the steps needed to get proper benefits for residents.

 If you're an ALF owner, operator, or thinking about opening a facility, this episode is packed with eye-opening takeaways.

 What do you think about LMH ALFs? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

 Subscribe for more ALF insights & expert advice!  Join the ALF Boss Community: Facebook Group  Need help with compliance or marketing? Reach out to me!

#ALFBossPodcast #AssistedLiving #LMHFacilities #MentalHealthCare #ALFCompliance #SeniorLiving #BehavioralHealth #AssistedLivingMarketing

 New Episode Alert: ALF Boss Podcast! 

This week, I’m joined by the incredible Tara Anaya, Executive Director of The Gardens of Lake Alfred—a historic 100-bed ALF with a fascinating past as a Yankees training camp hotel! 

Tara shares her 20+ year journey in assisted living, from starting in Michigan to leading a thriving community in Florida. We discuss:  Building a family-focused culture for residents and staff  Navigating the challenges of Medicaid and compliance  The evolving resident demographic in ALFs  Her secret to maintaining a strong team and high census

If you’re an ALF owner, operator, or just passionate about senior care, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real talk from the trenches of assisted living.

This week, we're thrilled to feature Dawn Grady, Executive Director of The Cottages at Belleair, a unique memory care community in Clearwater, Florida. With over 22 years of experience in the assisted living industry, Dawn shares her incredible journey from skilled nursing to leading one of Florida's most innovative memory care facilities.

We discuss:  The concept of cottage-style memory care.  Challenges in staffing and how she maintains a 1:7 resident-to-staff ratio.  Her insights on changes in the industry over the years, including the impact of COVID.  Why enhanced training for dementia care and med techs is critical for the future.

Get inspired by Dawn's passion for treating residents like family and her dedication to improving care standards. Whether you're an ALF operator, staff member, or someone curious about assisted living, this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartwarming stories.

 Tune in now to learn how Dawn creates a caring and thriving environment at The Cottages at Belleair! 

 Welcome to the ALF Boss Podcast!

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Mary Noss, Executive Director of Heritage Waterside in Daytona Beach Shores.  Nestled between the Halifax River and the ocean, Heritage Waterside offers stunning waterfront views and a luxury environment for residents.

Mary shares her journey from 30 years in psychiatric treatment to becoming a key leader in the assisted living industry. We dive into what makes Heritage Waterside stand out, from its family-oriented culture to the proactive approach in staff training and resident care. 

Key topics include:

• Mary’s advice for aspiring Executive Directors.
• Navigating Florida’s complex ALF regulations.
• Building a successful team and creating a family-first environment.
• Insights on managing challenges, such as end-of-life care with compassion.

If you’re passionate about improving assisted living operations or just want to hear from an industry expert with a heart for residents, this episode is for you! 

Listen in as we celebrate the incredible work Mary and her team are doing and learn how proactive leadership drives success in assisted living.