The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast

Charlie Cameron and Dr. Alex Schloe

Welcome to The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, your go-to resource for all things residential assisted living! Hosted by Charlie Cameron and Dr. Alex Schloe, we bring you expert insights, real-life success stories, and the strategies you need to thrive in the booming assisted living industry. Whether you're launching your own RAL business or seeking high-impact investment opportunities, join us as we ride the "Silver Tsunami" and revolutionize senior care together! Subscribe now for actionable tips, industry trends, and inspiring interviews with leading operators and investors.

  1. 3d ago

    Avoid Costly Design Mistakes in RAL with Lisa Cini

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, we dive into the design and budgeting decisions that can make or break a residential assisted living project with Lisa Cini, an experienced senior living designer who has worked in residential assisted living for more than three decades. Lisa shares practical lessons on how to avoid expensive design mistakes, plan smarter from the beginning, and create spaces that are both beautiful and functional without unnecessarily breaking the budget. In this episode, you'll learn: Why proper budget planning needs to happen before major design decisions are madeHow misaligned plumbing and inefficient floor plans can drive up construction costsWhy standardizing bathrooms and using modular design elements can save thousandsHow to avoid overdesigning your RAL beyond what your market can supportWhy understanding your local market and pro forma should influence room layouts and unit typesThe hidden costs that can come with renovations, including roofs, sprinklers, structural issues, and demolitionWhat to look for when selecting commercial-grade furniture and FF&EWhy inexpensive residential furniture can become an expensive replacement problemHow room count and bed count can impact staffing costs and your overall numbersThe importance of accounting for technology, security, lighting, and other low-voltage systemsHow to balance cost-effective design with resident dignity, independence, and safetyWhere to spend more money for maximum impact—and where you can safely saveWhy a model room can be one of the best investments you make before completing the entire projectHow design choices can become part of your ongoing marketing and brandingLisa emphasizes that the goal isn't simply to spend less—it’s to spend intelligently. Some design elements can be standardized and simplified across an entire project, while others deserve investment because they directly affect resident experience, durability, or the property's ability to attract families. Whether you're renovating an existing property or planning a new RAL from the ground up, this episode offers valuable insight into making smarter decisions before costly mistakes become difficult—or impossible—to fix. Learn more about CarePredict: https://www.carepredict.com/who-we-serve/residential-assisted-living-ral/ Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    Avoid Costly Design Mistakes in RAL with Lisa Cini
  2. Aug 11

    Building a Strong Online Presence for Your Assisted Living Home with Peter Brissette

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Dr. Alex Schloe sits down with Peter Brissette, founder of Digital Marketing Dude, who has spent more than 20 years helping small businesses grow online and over 15 years working specifically with the assisted living industry.  Peter breaks down how residential assisted living operators can compete with larger communities and generate more qualified leads through better websites, Google reviews, local SEO, paid advertising, and emerging AI tools. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why your website is often the first impression families have of your community  The key elements every assisted living website should include  Why displaying pricing can help generate more qualified leads  How Google reviews can dramatically impact trust and referrals  Where operators should spend their marketing budget  How Google Ads can help capture families actively searching for care  How AI is changing search, SEO, and assisted living marketing  Why video and fresh website content are becoming increasingly important  The importance of making your marketing personal, authentic, and story-driven Peter also shares one of his biggest pieces of advice for operators: don't just market the business—share the story behind why you care about serving seniors.  A great episode for any assisted living owner looking to improve their online presence, generate higher-quality leads, and build trust with families before they ever pick up the phone. Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    Building a Strong Online Presence for Your Assisted Living Home with Peter Brissette
  3. Aug 4

    Building an Assisted Living Business That Runs on Systems with Angela Burow

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Charlie Cameron sits down with Angela Burow, an experienced Residential Assisted Living operator and one of the RAL Room's leading operations coaches. Angela shares her journey from occupational therapist to assisted living owner and reveals the systems, leadership strategies, and operational processes that have helped her build a thriving, fully occupied home while preparing to expand into an 18-bed luxury memory care community. Here's what we cover: ✅ How Angela transitioned from healthcare into owning and operating Residential Assisted Living homes✅ The biggest mistakes she made when opening her first home—and what she'd do differently today✅ Why hiring the right administrator and caregivers is critical to long-term success✅ Building a strong team culture that delivers exceptional resident care✅ Marketing strategies and referral relationships that keep occupancy full✅ Operational systems, software, SOPs, and communication workflows that create consistency✅ Lessons from expanding into an 18-bed purpose-built memory care community✅ How Angela is helping RAL Room members succeed through operations training, templates, and coaching👉 Whether you're preparing to open your first Residential Assisted Living home or looking to improve your operations and scale your business, this episode is packed with practical advice from an operator who has successfully navigated the challenges and built systems that work. Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    Building an Assisted Living Business That Runs on Systems with Angela Burow
  4. Jul 28

    From Wall Street to Residential Assisted Living: How Nicole DeSantis Closed Her First Lease-to-Operator Deal

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Alex Schloe sits down with Nicole DeSantis, who transformed from a finance professional in New York City to the owner of her first Residential Assisted Living property—all in less than a year. 🏡 Nicole shares how she leveraged the lease-to-operator model to invest in an assisted living home in Oregon while continuing to work her full-time job in New York. She walks through the mindset, strategy, numbers, and lessons that helped her achieve her first deal and build a roadmap toward long-term financial freedom.  Here's what we cover:  ✅ Why the lease-to-operator model was the perfect fit while keeping a full-time career  ✅ How defining a clear investment "buy box" helped her find the right market  ✅ Why she chose Oregon over New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina  ✅ Finding the right operator and why they're the most important part of the business  ✅ Breaking down the numbers behind her first assisted living investment  ✅ Lessons learned from inspections, due diligence, and buying remotely  ✅ How the RAL Room community and networking helped make her first deal a reality 👉 Whether you're working a W-2 job, investing from out of state, or looking for a lower-risk way to enter Residential Assisted Living, Nicole's story proves that with the right strategy, community, and consistent action, your first deal may be closer than you think.  Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    From Wall Street to Residential Assisted Living: How Nicole DeSantis Closed Her First Lease-to-Operator Deal
  5. Jul 21

    How to Pass State Inspections & Avoid Costly Violations with Kimberly Rodriguez

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Charlie Cameron and Angela Brown are joined by Kimberly Rodriguez, founder of Action Over Words Group and former state inspector, to share an insider's guide to passing assisted living state inspections. 🏡 Drawing from years of experience inspecting communities across multiple states, Kimberly explains what inspectors are really looking for, common mistakes operators make, and practical strategies to help you stay compliant before inspection day arrives. Here's what we cover: ✅ How state inspection protocols work and where to find them ✅ What inspectors look for during tours, documentation reviews, and medication observations ✅ Common compliance mistakes that lead to citations—and how to avoid them ✅ Tips for preparing your staff with mock inspections and proper documentation ✅ What to do if you disagree with an inspector or receive an unfair citation ✅ Best practices to stay inspection-ready all year long 👉 Whether you're preparing for your initial license, annual survey, or complaint investigation, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you confidently navigate state inspections and protect your assisted living business. This episode is sponsored by CarePredict. Learn more about CarePredict: https://www.carepredict.com/who-we-serve/residential-assisted-living-ral/ Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    How to Pass State Inspections & Avoid Costly Violations with Kimberly Rodriguez
  6. Jul 14

    Operations, Staffing & Scaling Your Assisted Living Home | RAL Room Office Hours

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Luke and Angela answer live questions from RAL Room members covering one of the biggest challenges in assisted living—operations and staffing. 🏡 From hiring caregivers and scheduling shifts to building systems that allow you to step away from the day-to-day, this Office Hours session is packed with practical advice from real-world operating experience. Here's what we cover: ✅ 8-hour vs. 12-hour caregiver shifts and staffing strategies ✅ Building an efficient team for growing assisted living homes ✅ New build vs. buying an existing assisted living facility ✅ Creating level-of-care assessments and pricing systems ✅ Managing family communication and resident satisfaction ✅ Choosing EMR/eMAR software and pharmacy integrations ✅ Building systems that let your business run without you 👉 Whether you're opening your first assisted living home or preparing to scale, this Q&A session offers actionable insights you can implement immediately. Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    Operations, Staffing & Scaling Your Assisted Living Home | RAL Room Office Hours
  7. Jul 7

    5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Investing in Residential Assisted Living | Alex Schloe

    In this solo episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Dr. Alex Schloe shares the five biggest lessons he wishes he had known before investing in residential assisted living. After years of investing, partnering with operators, and learning through costly mistakes, Alex pulls back the curtain on what truly determines success in the RAL industry. 🏡 Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, these practical insights can help you avoid expensive pitfalls and build a stronger assisted living business. Here's what we cover: ✅ Why residential assisted living is an operations business—not just a real estate investment ✅ How choosing the right operator can make or break your success ✅ Why market selection matters more than most investors realize ✅ The true cost of empty beds and how to build occupancy from day one ✅ Why learning from experienced operators can save you years of trial and error 👉 If you're considering your first assisted living investment or want to strengthen your current operation, this episode offers practical lessons that could save you time, money, and countless headaches. This episode is sponsored by CarePredict. Learn more about CarePredict: https://www.carepredict.com/who-we-serve/residential-assisted-living-ral/ Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Investing in Residential Assisted Living | Alex Schloe
  8. Jun 30

    The Importance of Due Diligence in Assisted Living with Shane Pogue

    In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Charlie Cameron sits down with Shane Pogue, founder of AEGIS RSI (Aegis Risk Solutions and Investigations), to discuss why due diligence is one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of raising capital and growing a successful assisted living business. 📊 Shane shares lessons from years of evaluating investment opportunities, working with founders, and helping investors make informed decisions before committing capital. Here's what we cover: ✅ Why due diligence is about more than just financials ✅ The importance of transparency when working with investors ✅ Common red flags operators and investors should watch for ✅ How to build trust through communication and accountability ✅ Practical insights for anyone raising capital or evaluating opportunities 👉 A must-listen for assisted living operators, investors, and entrepreneurs looking to build stronger businesses through transparency, trust, and informed decision-making. Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member Passively Invest in Assisted Living Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL Join our Free Facebook Community Connect with Charlie Instagram Connect with Alex Instagram LinkedIn Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/ Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

    The Importance of Due Diligence in Assisted Living with Shane Pogue
5
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Welcome to The RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, your go-to resource for all things residential assisted living! Hosted by Charlie Cameron and Dr. Alex Schloe, we bring you expert insights, real-life success stories, and the strategies you need to thrive in the booming assisted living industry. Whether you're launching your own RAL business or seeking high-impact investment opportunities, join us as we ride the "Silver Tsunami" and revolutionize senior care together! Subscribe now for actionable tips, industry trends, and inspiring interviews with leading operators and investors.

You Might Also Like