Episode 31 — Diabetic Neuropathy & Spinal Cord Stimulation: Covered by Insurance!
Guest: Dr. Sean Sills, Touchstone Interventional Pain Center

Diabetic neuropathy affects nearly 40% of people living with diabetes — often resulting in burning pain, numbness, sleep disruption, difficulty walking, infections, and even amputations. But new advancements in spinal cord stimulation are changing everything.

This week, Jamie sits down again with Dr. Sean Sills, anesthesiologist and founder of Touchstone Interventional Pain Center, to uncover a treatment that is giving patients life-changing relief — and yes, it’s covered by insurance.

Dr. Sills explains:
 • What diabetic neuropathy actually is
 • Why nerves misfire and cause burning, stabbing, or numb sensations
 • First-line treatments and why they often fall short
 • How spinal cord stimulation works (it’s like a “pacemaker for the spine”)
 • The 1-week “test drive” trial before implantation
 • Success rates, risks, and real patient outcomes
 • How some patients regain mobility, sleep, and sensation in their feet

If you or someone you love lives with diabetic neuropathy, this episode may be the turning point.
 Learn how this minimally invasive technology is restoring quality of life — even after years of debilitating pain.

Touchstone Interventional Pain Center
Website: touchstonepain.com
Phone: 541-773-1435

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

In this informative episode, we sit down with Melissa Mlasco, a Medicare Representative and Certified Financial Fiduciary with over 25 years of experience helping seniors navigate retirement and healthcare decisions.

Melissa breaks down the complex world of Medicare Advantage (Part C)—how it works, how it’s changing in 2026, and what every senior should know before choosing or changing plans.

You’ll learn:
💡 The difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
💊 How upcoming changes will impact premiums, drug plans, and out-of-pocket costs
🏥 Why choosing the right network of doctors matters more than ever
💰 How to save money while keeping comprehensive coverage

Whether you’re turning 65, assisting a loved one, or reevaluating your current plan, this episode will help you make informed, confident decisions about your healthcare.

📞 Contact Melissa Mlasco:
Futurity First | medicaremadeforyou.org
| futurityretirementadvisors.com

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

🎙️ Episode 29 – Team Senior Podcast

Honor Flight of Oregon: A Journey of Gratitude

In this heartfelt episode, Jamie Callahan sits down with Pete Pringle, President of Honor Flight of Oregon, to explore how this incredible nonprofit honors our veterans by flying them—free of charge—to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorials.

You’ll hear:
 🇺🇸 The story behind Honor Flight and how it began
 ✈️ What the trip includes—from airfare to meals to a dedicated guardian for each veteran
 🎖️ How each journey reconnects veterans with their stories, families, and one another
 ❤️ Why moments like the Changing of the Guard and airport welcomes bring healing and closure

Honor Flight of Oregon takes WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans on the trip of a lifetime—completely free for them. For many, it’s a long-overdue “welcome home.”

📞 To apply, volunteer, or donate:
Visit honorflightoforegon.org

Call 541-450-9807
Follow Honor Flight of Oregon on Facebook.

📞 For Team Senior resources: 541-295-8230

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

In this episode, Jamie Callahan talks with Terry Haines, Chairman of the Non-Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) Rogue Chapter 1260 — the largest NCOA chapter in the entire country. With decades of advocacy behind him, Terry shares how this volunteer-powered organization is improving quality of life for enlisted veterans and their families right here in Southern Oregon.

You’ll hear:

• Why the NCOA was founded — and why their mission still matters today
• How Southern Oregon veterans are being honored through the Vietnam Memorial Wall project
• The impact of care packages, legislative advocacy, and mental-health programs
• How events like Vet Run, golf & bowling tournaments raise vital local support
• The meaning behind the veteran medallion program — and the emotional reactions it inspires
• Ways our community can get involved and help prevent veteran suicide

🎖️ From active service to aging at home, the NCOA continues to show up for those who showed up for us.

📞 Connect with NCOA Rogue Chapter
Website: NCOARogue.org

📞 Team Senior resources: 541-295-8230

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

Episode 26 – Free Tax Help for Seniors in Southern Oregon with JOCO Vita

In this episode, Jamie Callahan talks with Kathie Sauders from JOCO Vita, a volunteer-driven nonprofit providing free income tax preparation for seniors and low-income residents across Josephine County.

Kathie shares the history of JOCO Vita, how the program helps hundreds of local residents each year, and why they’re looking for new volunteers before the upcoming tax season.

You’ll learn:

• Who qualifies for free tax help and how to get started
• How JOCO Vita makes filing simple, stress-free, and 100% confidential
• What volunteer roles are available — no prior experience required
• How volunteers are trained and supported every step of the way

💡 Whether you’re retired, love numbers, or just want to give back to your community, volunteering with JOCO Vita is a meaningful way to make a difference this spring.

👉 Volunteer or learn more:
🌐 www.JOCOVita.org

📞 541-326-8182

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

🎙️ Episode 26 – Team Senior Podcast

How Rogue Organizer Helps Seniors and Veterans Downsize with Dignity

In this heartfelt episode, Jamie Callahan sits down with Michelle Meilicke of Rogue Organizer, a professional organizer who helps seniors and veterans simplify their homes — and their lives.

You’ll hear:

• Why downsizing can be one of the biggest emotional and logistical challenges seniors face
• How Michelle recreates the warmth of home when helping clients move into assisted living
• The surprising link between clutter and mental health
• What “body doubling” means — and how it helps people finally get things done
• Her unique “past-informed, present-focused” approach to honoring memories while letting go

Michelle’s compassionate work helps families navigate change with less stress and more grace — proving that a lighter home can lead to a lighter heart.

🖥️ Learn more: RogueOrganizer.com

 📞 Call Michelle: 541-261-2012
🎧 Listen now: https://teamsenior.buzzsprout.com

📞 For Team Senior resources: 541-295-8230

#TeamSeniorPodcast #SeniorCare #Downsizing #Decluttering #SouthernOregon #Veterans #SeniorLiving

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

🎙️ Episode 25 – Team Senior Podcast

“The Truth About Aging in America: What Every Family Should Know”

In this solo episode, Jamie Callahan shares eye-opening facts and trends shaping the future of aging in America. From the “Age Wave” to the realities of Social Security shortfalls, housing gaps, and caregiving costs, Jamie breaks down what families need to know to prepare for the years ahead.

You’ll learn:

• How Peak 65 is reshaping retirement and healthcare planning
• Why Southern Oregon has one of the highest senior populations in the country
• The hidden costs of caregiving and housing for seniors
• How loneliness affects health as much as smoking
• What families can do now to prepare—before a crisis hits

Whether you’re a senior, a caregiver, or a family member navigating this journey, this episode offers clarity, practical insight, and real-world advice for planning with confidence.

🎧 Listen now: https://teamsenior.buzzsprout.com

📞 For help or resources: 541-295-8230

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

Episode 24 – Team Senior Podcast
Riverside Home Health & Hospice: Care That Comes to You

In this episode, Jamie Callahan sits down with Sabrina Zehe, Director of Business Development at Riverside Home Health & Hospice, to explore how their team is redefining what compassionate, skilled care at home looks like in Southern Oregon.

You’ll hear:

• What home health really means and how it differs from in-home caregiving
• How physical, occupational, and speech therapy services help seniors stay strong, safe, and independent
• Why Riverside takes on the burden of coordinating with doctors and insurance—so families don’t have to
• The incredible impact of Riverside’s provider program, which brings medical care directly into assisted living, memory care, and foster home settings
• Why advocating for the right care (and asking questions) is essential for every family

Riverside’s mission is simple but powerful: deliver the right care at the right time, with heart. For families navigating aging, post-surgery recovery, or chronic conditions, they are a trusted partner who makes sure no one feels alone in the process.

📞 Learn more about Riverside Home Health & Hospice at https://riversidehh.com/
 📞 For Team Senior resources: 541-295-8230

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

Episode 23 – Team Senior Podcast
Advocacy in Action: Protecting Adult Foster Homes with Kim Oley

In this episode, Jamie Callahan welcomes Kim Oley, president of the Independent Adult Care Home Association (IACHA), to talk about the critical role of adult foster homes in Oregon’s long-term care system—and why advocacy in Salem matters more than ever.

You’ll hear:

• How Kim’s personal journey with her grandmother led her to open an adult foster home and step into statewide advocacy
• Why HB 3838 posed a major threat to small care homes—and how grassroots voices helped stop it in its tracks
• The fight for fair Medicaid reimbursement (HB 2560) and why rates must rise to keep homes open
• The power of showing up in Salem—writing testimony, building relationships with legislators, and proving that ordinary citizens can shape policy
• Why adult foster homes are often the only option for high-acuity seniors, and why losing them would devastate communities

Kim’s story is a reminder that you don’t need a degree or a title to make a difference. One voice, combined with many, can protect the future of care for Oregon seniors.

📞 Learn more about Team Senior resources: 541-295-8230

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/

Episode 22 – Team Senior Podcast

Meraki Transport: Changing the Landscape of Medical Transport

In this episode, Jamie Callahan sits down with Ron and Randy of Meraki Transport, a family-owned company serving Southern Oregon for over a decade. What started with just two vans has grown into a fleet of vehicles built around one mission: providing transportation with heart.

You’ll hear:

• The story behind the name Meraki—and why passion and dignity are at the core of everything they do
• How medical transport isn’t just about hospital trips, but also everyday needs like doctor visits, haircuts, and even a day at the beach
• Transparent pricing and how insurance partnerships work (Medicaid, Ready Ride, TransLink)
• Why Meraki sets a higher standard: drivers are carefully chosen, trained with compassion, and taught to treat every ride as more than “just a job”
• Real stories of going above and beyond for clients—sometimes even becoming like family

Meraki Transport has become a trusted lifeline for seniors, people with health challenges, and families across Jackson and Josephine counties. Their approach is simple but powerful: it’s not just transport, it’s care.

📞 To learn more or schedule a ride, call 541-916-2520 or visit MerakiTransport.com
.
📞 For Team Senior resources: 541-295-8230.

At Team Senior™, our mission is to guide you and support you through the maze of Southern Oregon Long-Term Care.

📞 For Team Senior resources, call: 541-295-8230

Or visit our website for more information: https://www.teamsenior.org/