In this episode, Jamie Callahan sits down with Lori Stanton, Program Director at the Alzheimer’s Association (Oregon & SW Washington), to explore the wide range of free services, advocacy efforts, and groundbreaking research the organization is offering to families and caregivers affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Topics include:

• The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s
• Local and national support programs
• Respite care and stress relief for caregivers
• Innovations in diagnosis and treatment
• How you can get involved in advocacy

📞 Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline: 1‑800‑272‑3900
📍 Local Offices:

• Portland metro / Lake Oswego: 503‑416‑0201
• Central Oregon / Bend: 541‑317‑3977
• Mid-Willamette Valley / Salem: 971‑273‑0643

📞 Team Senior: 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/

When it comes to aging well, planning ahead is one of the most loving things you can do—for yourself and your family. In this episode, Jamie Callahan is joined by Angela Franklin, a community educator and death midwife, to demystify Oregon’s Advanced Directive and why it's so important for every adult to have one.

Angela explains what the form does, how it's different from a POLST, and the most common mistakes people make when filling it out.

She covers:

• Why Oregon’s Advanced Directive is unique—and more protective than in many other states
• The difference between an Advanced Directive and a POLST
• When and how to update your directive
• Who should have one (hint: everyone 18 and older!)
• Why having these conversations early brings peace of mind later

Whether you’re planning for your future or supporting a loved one, this episode offers clarity and practical advice.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

Getting denied for Medicaid can feel like a dead end—but it doesn’t have to be.

In this episode, Jamie Callahan sits down with Maria Kain of Abundant Life Care Management to break down the real reasons why so many seniors are denied Medicaid—and how to successfully qualify or fight an appeal.

They discuss:

• Why so many seniors disqualify themselves during the Medicaid screening
• The key mistakes families make when applying
• How Maria's functional assessments reveal the real level of care needed
• What to expect during the Medicaid application or appeal process
• Powerful support available for spouses and families
• Why Oregon is one of the few states with Medicaid-funded assisted living

Whether you're helping a loved one apply—or reeling from a denial—this episode offers real solutions and guidance.

📞 Have questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

What happens when memory loss or confusion begins affecting everyday life—but the family isn’t ready to accept it?

In this episode, Jamie Callahan talks with Maria Kane, a certified Aging Life Care Manager with 47 years of experience. They discuss how care managers help families navigate complex situations related to dementia and aging—especially when denial, safety concerns, and difficult decisions are in play.

Maria shares:

• How she supports both the individual and the caregiver
• The signs of cognitive decline that families often miss
• How professionals gently move the needle toward diagnosis and care
• Why having an objective third party can reduce conflict and improve outcomes
• Her holistic, relationship-based approach to long-term support

Whether you're just starting to notice changes in a loved one or feeling overwhelmed with decision-making, this episode offers grounded insight and real-life examples to help you move forward with clarity.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

Choosing between caregiving at home or assisted living is one of the most emotional—and financially complex—decisions families face.

In this episode, Jamie Callahan breaks down the real costs and considerations of each option, offering practical guidance for families navigating these critical choices.

She covers:

• When in-home caregiving makes the most sense
• How caregiver registries compare to agencies
• Why assisted living is often less expensive than home care
• Red flags that make placement in memory care more difficult
• The high costs of waiting too long to make a decision

Whether you're trying to keep a loved one at home or exploring long-term care, this episode helps you make an informed and empowered decision.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

When most people think of long-term care, they picture nursing homes or assisted living—but adult foster homes are one of the most compassionate and personalized care options available.

In this episode, Jamie Callahan explains what adult foster homes are, how they work, and why they’re often the best fit for seniors with higher care needs.

She covers:

• How adult foster homes differ from assisted living and memory care
• The unique 1:5 caregiver-to-resident ratio
• Licensing, safety, and what to look for in a quality foster home
• Why these homes can accept residents with complex medical needs
• The biggest challenge: limited availability across Oregon

Whether you’re navigating discharge from a hospital or exploring care for a loved one, this episode gives you the knowledge to make a more informed choice.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

Caregiving can be overwhelming—especially when you're trying to figure out what services are available and how to pay for them. In this episode, Jamie Callahan breaks down the most common types of caregiving and the funding sources that can help cover the cost, including options specifically for veterans.

She covers:

• The real cost of agency caregiving today
• How caregiver registries offer a more affordable option
• Key differences between VA programs like HHA and Veteran Directed Care (VDC)
• Medicaid and long-term care insurance benefits
• Why some caregivers can qualify for health insurance through DHS

Whether you're caring for a loved one or planning ahead for yourself, this episode offers practical guidance and real-world insight into navigating care at home.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

When it comes to aging, having the right legal documents in place can protect your voice, your wishes, and your family’s peace of mind. In this episode, Jamie Callahan breaks down the basics of powers of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, POLST, and advance directives—what they are, when they matter, and what happens if you don’t have them in place soon enough.

She covers:

• What a power of attorney can and can’t do
• Why banks often reject standard POA documents
• How guardianship and conservatorship differ—and when they’re necessary
• The role of POLST and advance directives in life-or-death situations

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to plan ahead with clarity and confidence—not in crisis.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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/

Hospice isn’t about giving up — it’s about maximizing comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Kara Snyder from Riverside Home Health and Hospice joins Jamie Callahan to explain what hospice really is, how it supports families, and why learning about it before you need it is so important.

They cover:

• What services hospice provides (and what it doesn’t)
• The emotional and spiritual care often overlooked
• How hospice is paid for (spoiler: it’s often 100% covered)
• What “graduating” from hospice looks like

This episode gently clears up myths and empowers listeners with knowledge — because every family deserves compassionate care at the right time.

📞 Questions? Call Team Senior at (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 Part 2 of our conversation, Jamie and Team Senior community liaison Linda G. explain why planning before a health crisis gives families better choices — including solutions that may prevent a move altogether.

They also share financial strategies for long-term care, how Medicaid works in Oregon, and how to protect your home and assets when one spouse needs care.

From “financial divorce” to GPS solutions, this episode is packed with compassionate, creative options that make aging safer and less stressful.

Call Team Senior at (541) 295-8230 for personalized help.

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/