Care Coordination & Advocacy :  Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work with veterans?

Yes. I spent more than 20 years working with veterans, elderly people, people with disabilities, and folks navigating complex systems. I know how these worlds work. If you're a vet or have a vet in your family, I can help you navigate benefits, understand the VA, and figure out what's actually available to you.

Can you help me move my mother to a nursing home?

Yes. I help with all the coordination pieces: finding the right place, understanding what questions matter, getting her medical information to the new facility, making sure the transition actually happens smoothly, helping the family understand what's happening and how to stay involved. I can also help if the family is divided on whether it's the right move.

I live out of town and need help clearing out my deceased parents' home. Can you help?

I can help with the logistics and coordination around it. That means: figuring out what needs to happen first, connecting you with resources and people who can help, sorting through what's important vs. what can go, and managing the practical and emotional weight of it. I won't do the physical clearing myself, but I can make sure you're not doing it alone.

I don't know how to file a Social Security application. Can you help?

Yes. I can help you understand what you need, walk you through the process, explain what to expect, and help you figure it out if something gets confusing or gets rejected. I can't officially file it for you, but I can make sure you know what you're doing and have what you need.

Do you know where to find caregivers?

I know the North Coast and metro area well. I can point you to agencies and resources, help you figure out what level of care you actually need (it's usually different than people think), help you understand what to look for in a good match, and advocate with them if things aren't working.

I can't get answers from the hospital. Can you help?

Yes. I can come to appointments with you, take notes, help you understand what people are actually saying, ask the questions you're worried about, and make sure you're being heard. Hospitals can be overwhelming and confusing. Sometimes you just need someone who isn't in the middle of the crisis helping you translate.

Can you attend care conferences or medical meetings with us?

Yes. I can come to hospital discharge meetings, nursing home care conferences, behavioral health team meetings, or any situation where multiple people are meeting to talk about care. I can take detailed notes so you have a record of what was said, ask questions you might be too overwhelmed to ask, help translate the medical jargon, and make sure your concerns actually get heard in the room. If you can't be there, I can attend as your advocate and report back to the family about what happened and what the plan actually is.

Something is wrong with my medications but I don't know what. Can you help me sort it out?

Yes. I can help you look at what you're taking, make sure it all makes sense, check for interactions, help you understand why you're on each one, and figure out if something needs to change. Sometimes medications get added and never get reviewed. I can help bring that up with your doctor and work through it together.

My family is fighting about where our parent should live. Can you help?

Yes. I can help bring everyone together to actually talk about it, help you think through what the options really are, help you understand what everyone's worried about underneath the disagreement, and work toward a plan everyone at least understands. Family conflict around care is painful. Sometimes you just need someone neutral to help translate.

We found out my mom has no will or power of attorney. Now she's confused. What do I do?

Don't panic. If she still understands what she's signing, it's not too late. I can help you figure out what documents she actually needs, explain the difference between the different options, and point you toward someone who can help with the actual paperwork. I can't be the lawyer, but I can make sure you know what you're doing.

The nursing home is asking questions I can't answer about my parent's history. Can you help?

Yes. I can help you gather that information, organize it, and make sure the facility actually gets what they need to take good care. I can also talk to the facility if you feel like things aren't going the way they should be.

I'm worried about what happens to my adult child with a disability after I die. Can I talk to you?

Yes. This is exactly the kind of thing I help with. We can talk through what they might need, what benefits they can get, how to leave them money without losing those benefits, and what the plan is if something happens to you. You're not the only parent thinking about this. You don't have to figure it out alone.

I'm the only one handling my parent's care and I'm drowning.

I can help distribute that weight. I can attend meetings so you're not the only person hearing the information, take notes so you have a record, help you stay on top of what needs to happen next, and give you someone to debrief with. You don't have to do all of this alone.

My family is scattered and we can't all attend the care meeting. Can you represent us?

Yes. I can attend as your advocate, take thorough notes on what was discussed and decided, ask the questions you want asked, and report back to the family so everyone knows what's happening and what the plan is. This is especially helpful when family members are in different states or can't take time off work.

I inherited money and I'm not sure what to do with it.

Before you spend it, let's talk, especially if anyone in the family gets SSI or Medicaid. Inheriting money can accidentally mess up benefits if it's not handled right. I can help you figure out the best approach.

I don't understand my insurance. Can you help?

Yes. Medicare, Medicaid, supplemental insurance, figuring out what's actually covered — it's confusing. I can help you understand what you have and what it actually means for you.

I'm not a lawyer.

I won't give you legal advice or handle court paperwork. But I know these systems, I can explain what things mean, help you understand your options, and connect you with attorneys when you need them. I'm the person who helps you figure out what you actually need before you call the lawyer.

I'm not a doctor or nurse.

I won't diagnose anything or tell you what treatment to get. But I can help you organize your medical information, help you ask better questions, make sure you understand what your doctors are saying, and advocate for yourself. I'm the person who comes to appointments with you and helps you navigate.

I don't file legal paperwork or handle court stuff.

That's what attorneys do. But I can help you understand what you need, organize your information, and explain what's actually happening in court cases. I'm the bridge between you and the legal system.

I don't do hands-on caregiving or physical labor.

I'm not the person coming to your house to help bathe someone or clear physical objects. I'm the person coordinating the people who do that, making sure everything's organized, and handling the communication and planning.

What do I charge?

$75/hour for coordination and advocacy. I also offer a free 30-minute initial consultation so you can see if this is a good fit and understand what I do. Some situations work better with flat-fee packages. We can figure out what makes sense for you.

Getting Started

How do I reach you?

Call 503.502.1689 or email emily@tinebristlecoastal.com. I'm based in Astoria and work with people on the North Coast and in the metro area. If you're not sure I can help, that's okay, just tell me what's going on and we will figure it out from there.

What should I bring to our first meeting?

I’ll most likely come to you, so just gather up anything you have. Medical records, insurance cards, medication list, existing documents, financial info. But don't stress if it's not organized. That's what I help with. We’ll figure it out together.

What if I live out of town?

We can do the first call by phone. For ongoing work, we figure out what works… phone, email, in-person, mix of everything. Geography doesn't have to be a blocker. I’ve helped people all over Oregon with care coordination.

How fast can you help?

Depends on what you need. Crisis? We figure it out right away. Long-term planning? That takes time because we need to do it right and coordinate with other people. Either way, I'm available.

I feel like I'm drowning and don't know where to start.

I know. A lot of people feel that way. That's what I help with… taking the chaos and breaking it into actual pieces. Call me. Even one conversation can make it clearer.

I feel guilty that I can't do this alone.

You're not supposed to. This stuff is hard. Having someone who knows the systems and can help you navigate it isn't a luxury, it's practical help you deserve.

I'm worried about cost.

I get it. Let's talk about what actually works for you. I can do short consults, focus on the urgent stuff first, work out a plan that makes sense. Cost shouldn't keep you from getting help. I’m respectful of time and budget, and super resourceful.

I don't know if you can help with my specific thing.

Call me anyway. Tell me what's going on. Sometimes I can help directly. Sometimes I can point you somewhere else. Sometimes I can advocate on your behalf. But you won't know until you ask.