Pre-Planning a Funeral: Making an Uncomfortable Conversation Comfortable

There are some conversations in life that can be difficult to have—but they are also some of the most important.

On this episode of Moments That Matter, a podcast from Voyage Senior Living, host Melise Oakley talks with Joni Binkey Ross, a licensed embalmer and Illinois insurance producer with Binkley Ross Family of Funeral Homes, about the importance of pre-planning a funeral.

Talking about final wishes, funeral arrangements, and end-of-life decisions may feel uncomfortable, but planning ahead can provide peace of mind for you and the people you love. It can also help remove some of the emotional and financial decisions families are often faced with during a difficult time.

Joni shares practical insight about the pre-planning process, the decisions that can be made ahead of time, and how families can begin these important conversations.

In this episode, we’re making an uncomfortable conversation comfortable—and showing how planning ahead can be one more way to care for your family.

Learn more about Binkley Ross Family of Funeral Homes in Marion, Illinois:
www.binkleyrossfh.com

Learn more about Voyage Senior Living:
www.voyageseniorliving.com

Moments That Matter is a podcast from Voyage Senior Living, featuring meaningful conversations, helpful information, and resources for seniors and the families who love them.

What if better healthcare isn’t about choosing between conventional medicine and functional medicine—but bringing the best of both approaches together?

On this episode of Moments That Matter by Voyage Senior Living, host Melise Oakley welcomes Shoshana Church, Physician Assistant with Priority Medical Group, for a conversation about integrative medicine and its whole-person approach to health and wellness.

Integrative medicine combines conventional Western medical treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies. Instead of focusing only on a diagnosis or individual symptom, it considers the whole person—including mind, body, lifestyle, environment, and overall well-being.

Melise and Shoshana discuss patient-centered care, prevention, lifestyle and nutrition, identifying potential root causes of disease, and the important role conventional medicine continues to play in an integrative approach.

The goal is not to replace traditional medicine, but to bring together effective approaches that can help patients make informed decisions and work toward better long-term health.

If you’ve ever wondered what integrative medicine is—or how it differs from conventional and functional medicine—this episode provides a helpful introduction.

Moments That Matter is a podcast from Voyage Senior Living, providing helpful information, meaningful conversations, and valuable resources for seniors, caregivers, families, and anyone navigating life’s important transitions.

Learn more about Voyage Senior Living:
www.voyageseniorliving.com

#MomentsThatMatter #VoyageSeniorLiving #IntegrativeMedicine #FunctionalMedicine #PatientCenteredCare #WholePersonCare #Wellness #SeniorHealth #PriorityMedicalGroup

Life-Changing Infusion | Alzheimer’s Treatment Close to Home

On this episode of Moments That Matter, host Melise Oakley travels to meet Brenda Hale, who courageously shares her personal journey following an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.

After receiving her diagnosis, Brenda abegan exploring treatment options. With an order from her neurologist, she discovered that advanced Alzheimer’s infusion therapy was available close to home through Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital.

Brenda shares how the treatment has made a life-changing difference for her, restored hope, and allowed her to continue enjoying meaningful moments with her family. She also speaks honestly about the challenges of Alzheimer’s, the importance of early testing, and the value of having access to advanced care in Southern Illinois.

Her story is an encouraging reminder to live each day to the fullest—and that no individual or family has to walk this journey alone.

Early diagnosis matters, and so does access to quality care close to home.

Special thanks to:

Deaconess Illinois Union County Hospital
517 N. Main Street
Anna, Illinois 62906
618-833-4511

Moments That Matter is a podcast from Voyage Senior Living, created to provide helpful information, meaningful conversations, and encouragement for seniors, caregivers, and families navigating life’s important transitions.

Learn more about Voyage Senior Living:
https://voyageseniorliving.com

This episode presents one patient’s personal experience and is not intended as medical advice. Individuals and families should consult qualified healthcare professionals to determine which testing or treatment options may be appropriate for them.

PRP Therapy—Healing from Within

What is PRP therapy, and how can it support the body’s natural healing process?

On this episode of Moments That Matter, host Melise Oakley talks with Rebecca Edmondson, founder of Priority Medical Group, about Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, commonly known as PRP.

Rebecca explains how PRP uses components from a patient’s own blood, how the procedure is performed, and the types of injuries, pain, and medical conditions it may be used to treat. She also discusses what patients can expect and why PRP is becoming a growing option in regenerative medicine.

Moments That Matter is presented by Voyage Senior Living and provides helpful conversations, trusted resources, and encouragement for seniors, caregivers, and families.

This episode is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Welcome to Moments That Matter from the Voyage, a podcast sharing stories, conversations, and resources that truly impact lives right here in Southern Illinois.

I’m Melise Oakley with Voyage Senior Living, and today we’re honored to sit down with someone who continues serving our Veterans long after his military career — Tom Harness, Superintendent of the Williamson County Veterans Assistance Commission.

Helping Veterans in Senior Living.  Today’s conversation is about support, dignity, connection, and making sure our Veterans and their families know they are not alone.”

In this episode, find information about:

Williamson County VAC 

Helping Veterans in Senior Living Communities

Quality of Life Beyond Benefits 

Learn more about Voyage Senior Living:
https://voyageseniorliving.com

Moments That Matter is a podcast dedicated to providing resources, conversations, and encouragement for seniors, caregivers, and families navigating life's important transitions.

#Veterans #SeniorVeterans #HealthAwareness #SeniorCare #Caregiving #VAC #Veterans Assistance Commission #MomentsThatMatter #VoyageSeniorLiving #WilliamsonCountyVAC #TomHarness

Lipedema: Unseen, Underdiagnosed

Lipedema affects millions of women, yet it remains one of the most overlooked and misunderstood medical conditions today.

In this episode of Moments That Matter, host Melise Oakley welcomes Rebecca Edmondson, founder of Priority Medical Group, to discuss both the clinical realities of Lipedema and her personal experience living with the condition. Together, they explore why Lipedema is often misdiagnosed, how it differs from obesity and lymphedema, common symptoms, treatment options, and the importance of early recognition.

Whether you're living with Lipedema, caring for someone who may be affected, or simply seeking to better understand this underdiagnosed condition, this conversation provides valuable insight, practical information, and hope.

About Our Guest:
Rebecca Edmondson is the founder of Priority Medical Group in Marion, Illinois, a healthcare practice dedicated to compassionate, relationship-centered, and personalized patient care.

Moments That Matter is a podcast from Voyage Senior Living, providing resources, conversations, and encouragement for seniors, caregivers, and families navigating life's important transitions.

For more information, visit: voyageseniorliving.com

#Lipedema #WomensHealth #HealthAwareness #SeniorCare #Caregiving #MomentsThatMatter #VoyageSeniorLiving #PriorityMedicalGroup

Decluttering, Downsizing & What To Do With Everything | Moments That Matter

What do you do with a lifetime of belongings when it's time to downsize?
In this episode of Moments That Matter from the Voyage, host Melise Oakley sits down with Stephanie Lawrence of 618 Realty to discuss one of the biggest challenges many families face—decluttering a home.

From determining what items actually have value to deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or pass along, Stephanie shares practical advice for navigating the process with confidence. More importantly, she addresses the emotional side of letting go of possessions that hold years of memories.

In this conversation you'll learn:
✅ Where to begin when the process feels overwhelming
✅ What items typically hold resale value—and what doesn't
✅ Options for donating, gifting, repurposing, or selling belongings
✅ Common mistakes families make when downsizing
✅ Why planning ahead makes all the difference
✅ Simple steps you can take today to get started

Whether you're planning a move, helping a loved one transition, or simply trying to reduce clutter, this episode offers encouragement and practical guidance to help you move forward with clarity and peace of mind.

Learn more about Voyage Senior Living:
https://voyageseniorliving.com

Moments That Matter is a podcast dedicated to providing resources, conversations, and encouragement for seniors, caregivers, and families navigating life's important transitions.

#MomentsThatMatter #VoyageSeniorLiving #Decluttering #Downsizing #SeniorLiving #EstatePlanning #HomeOrganization #RealEstate #618Realty #SeniorCare #LifeTransitions #OrganizationTips #FamilyResources

Stephanie Lawrence with Realty 618 joins host Melise Oakley with a conversation that more families need to be having—the Silver Tsunami.

By 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. That shift is already happening, and it’s changing everything—from housing to healthcare to how we plan for the future.

But this isn’t just about getting older…It’s about being prepared.

At Voyage Senior Living, we see every day how important it is to plan ahead—not just for care, but for the life transitions that come with it.

Because these conversations… these decisions…these are the moments that matter.

On this 11th episode of Moments That Matter from the Voyage, Host Melise Oakley talks with Jessie Henson and Courtney Thomas from Deaconess Illinois . 

This episode is one that truly matters—because it can save a life.
May is Stroke Awareness Month, and we’re taking a few minutes together to talk about something that affects so many families, yet often catches people off guard.

A stroke can happen suddenly. It doesn’t wait. But the good news is—knowing what to look for and what to do can make all the difference.
At Voyage Senior Living, we care deeply about not just our residents, but the families and communities around them. Education is part of how we serve—and today is about equipping you with knowledge you can carry with you.

Moments That Matter from the Voyage is a production of the Voyage Senior Living.

https://voyageseniorliving.com

Moments That Matter from the Voyage is produced by Tom Mann/Mannvoice.

On this 10th episode of Moments That Matter from the Voyage, Host Melise Oakley talks with Deborah Hogg and producer Moments That Matters's producer Tom Mann . Our subject is "The Power of Music" healing through harmony.  How music can transform memories, emotions and quality of life for seniors.
 
Moments That Matter from the Voyage is a production of the Voyage Senior Living.

https://voyageseniorliving.com

Moments That Matter from the Voyage is produced by Tom Mann/Mannvoice

Like & Subscribe