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

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

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

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.

In this episode of the Team Senior Podcast, Jamie Callahan talks with Sabrina from Mercy Flights’ Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) team—a program changing how care is delivered in Jackson County, Oregon. MIH meets people where they are (home, shelter, even an encampment) to bridge gaps after hospital discharge, reduce ER visits, and coordinate real, on-the-ground help.

Sabrina explains:

• What MIH is (and isn’t): not medical transport, but treat-in-place, follow-up, and care coordination
• Who they serve: all ages—from newborns to 104—across all of Jackson County
• Services they provide: medication reviews, fall-risk & home safety assessments, point-of-care testing, EKGs, breathing treatments, diabetes support, referrals, and care team coordination
• How MIH partners with Home Health (not replacing it) and collaborates with hospitals, primary care, and mental health
• Their role in Mobile Crisis Response with Jackson County Mental Health after the launch of 988
• How to refer and get help: (541) 858-2637 or mercyflights.com → Services → Mobile Integrated Healthcare

If you’ve ever left the hospital with a thick packet and more questions than answers, this episode shows how MIH helps people heal safely at home—and keeps them from bouncing back to the ER.

📞 Team Senior: (541) 295-8230
📞 MIH direct line: (541) 858-2637
🔗 Mercy Flights MIH info: mercyflights.com → Services → Mobile Integrated Healthcare

In Episode 20 of the Team Senior Podcast, Jamie Callahan sits down with Doug Walker of Mid Rogue Foundation to explore the powerful role housing plays in health, stability, and dignity.

Doug shares:

• How Foundry Village provides transitional housing through 17 tiny homes for people moving out of homelessness.
• The story of Evans House, a unique permanent housing option for low-income seniors.
• Exciting updates on Hillcrest Veterans Village, a 36-unit apartment community designed for low-income veterans and seniors.
• Why collaboration, community donations, and even small “inconveniences” are necessary to solve the housing crisis in Southern Oregon.

This inspiring conversation highlights how creative solutions and compassionate leadership can change lives and strengthen entire communities.

📞 Need resources? Call Team Senior at 541-295-8230.