What to Know Before and After a Death, with Bri Helton

Death is something most of us only navigate once or twice in a lifetime, which makes it one of the hardest things to prepare for. In this episode, Jamie sits down with Bri Helton, a funeral director and embalmer in Medford, to walk through what actually happens before and after someone passes away, and what families can do ahead of time to make the process easier.

Bri covers everything from who to call first when a death occurs at home, to what the removal process looks like, to common misconceptions about embalming and death certificates. She also shares a personal story about caring for someone from her own community, and why having a few simple conversations in advance can take a huge weight off a grieving family.

• Who to call when a death happens, whether expected or not
• What to prepare in advance: account information, passwords, and vital statistics
• How the death certificate process works in Oregon, and why it can take over a week
• What embalming actually involves, and the common misconception that it’s required
• Lesser-known options for after-death care, including natural burial and other emerging methods
• Where to find educational resources like the Death Cafe and trusted books on the subject

Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or supporting a loved one through this process, this episode offers clear, compassionate guidance for a topic most of us avoid until we have to face it.

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/

Adult Day Programs: A Place to Belong, with Tamara Fielding of Northridge Senior Living

Not every caregiving solution means moving someone out of their home. In this episode, Jamie talks with Tamara Fielding of Northridge Senior Living about their adult day program, which gives people with memory impairment, Parkinson’s, or stroke recovery a place to go during the day, and gives their caregivers a much-needed break.

Tamara shares how the program started back in 2013 through a VA partnership, how it’s grown to serve both Medford and Grants Pass, and the small, personal touches that make it work, from a former banker rolling coins to a retired builder sorting bolts. She also talks about Northridge’s new sky bridge in Medford, built as an extra emergency exit after the Almeda Fire.

• How the adult day program works, who it serves, and what a typical day looks like
• Why the program gives both participants and their caregivers a meaningful break
• How staff tailor activities to each person’s background and interests
• The story behind Northridge’s new sky bridge and added fire safety measures
• How to get connected with the program through Northridge or Team Senior

If you’re caring for a loved one at home and need some breathing room, this episode shows what a day program can look like, and why it might be worth exploring.

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 59: Eat Simple, Protect Your Kidneys and Blood Sugar-Functional Nutrition with Bernadette Anderson

What you eat has a direct effect on blood sugar, inflammation, and how hard your kidneys have to work. In this episode, Jamie welcomes back Bernadette Anderson, owner of Wholesome Warrior Health Coach and a functional medicine practitioner with more than 20 years of experience, to talk about why food is such a big piece of managing diabetes and renal care.

Bernadette explains why cutting out whole food groups isn't the answer, why there's no one-size-fits-all plan, and how to start with a few small changes instead of a complete overhaul. Jamie also shares her own story of going from a pre-diabetic A1C and cholesterol over 300 to normal A1C and much lower cholesterol.

• Why food choices matter for blood sugar, inflammation, and kidney workload
• The five-ingredient rule for grocery shopping, and what to watch for with "natural flavors" and "natural ingredients"
• What glycation and methylation mean, and how leafy greens and colorful vegetables fit in
• Why counting fiber can be a simpler starting point than counting calories
• How focusing on protein and fiber helps build muscle and keeps things simple
• Why 48 to 72 hours of better choices can start to make a difference

If you feel overwhelmed by all the nutrition advice out there, this conversation is a good place to start. Bernadette also teaches chair yoga at Club 60, and you can connect with her at wholesomewarrior.com or on Facebook and Instagram at Wholesome Warrior.

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/