Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

[CEU Podcast] - Diabetes affects more than 34.1 million people in the U.S. The prevalence of diabetes significantly increasing as we age with 29.2% of older Americans living with diabetes.  If that is not enough, depression is 2 times more likely in people with diabetes than the general population. In this continuing education podcast course, you will learn:  The prevalence and impact of co-existi...

[CEU Podcast] - Ageism, which is bias and discrimination based on age has profoundly harmful effects on our mental and physical health as we age. In this podcast CEU episode,  preeminent ageism researcher, Becca Levy, PhD will:  Define the Stereotype Embodiment Theory List cultural differences related to age beliefs  Discuss how our beliefs about aging impact our physical and mental health as we a...

The stories of deaf older adults and their families need to be shared and heard. For the past couple of years, I have been following and sharing the story of MJ Grant and her experience with caring for her mom, Carmen, who is deaf and living with dementia. A couple of months ago, MJ made the painful decision to move Carmen into a Memory Care community and shares the painful experience of moving he...

Chrissy Thelker was 55 years old when she had her first stroke and was subsequently diagnosed with Vascular Dementia.  In today's interview, Chrissy shares her experience of living with dementia and her journey to finding purpose and hope.   With more and more people living with dementia, it's imperative that we gain perspective and understanding of the lived experience of people living...

Dementia is one of the most important, but often overlooked, health care issues related to older African Americans.  In fact, research shows that African Americans are two to three times more likely to develop a dementia disorder (compared to European Americans) and at the same time are less likely to be diagnosed early in the disease process and provided with adequate treatment.  The burning ques...

There’s a common misconception that when somebody is diagnosed with dementia, they lose their independence and can no longer live alone. While down the road in the illness course of dementia, this may be true, there is A LOT that a person with dementia CAN DO to remain living independently and safely in their home. This episode is a must listen if you or someone you know is newly diagnosed with de...

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia can pave the road to better care. In this episode, you'll learn why early diagnosis of dementia is important and how early diagnosis of dementia helps older adults and their families. Click here to visit the show notes page for all the resources mentioned in today's episode: Older Adult / Family? Download the Memory Loss & Mental Health...

Do you know the 10 dementia warning signs? Getting clear about these 10 Must Know Dementia and Memory Loss Warning Signs will help you get needed care for seniors. In this episode, you'll learn the difference between what is typical with aging and what symptoms may require further evaluation.  Click here to visit the show notes page for all the resources mentioned in today's episode: Old...

Our attitudes about sexuality & aging may influence an older adults' sexual health. In an effort to help mental health, senior care, and health care providers reflect on our own values and attitudes, I interview sexual health and aging expert, Dr. Maggie Syme. In this interview Dr. Maggie Syme and I discuss: What it means to be a sexual citizen Attitudes about sexuality and aging Current...

The field of peer support has grown in many mental health and substance abuse treatment systems. Peer Support Specialists draw upon their own life experiences, like mental health and substance use concerns, distress, poverty, and oppression, on the one hand, and experiences of recovery and resilience, on the other.¹  They use their lived experience to help build connections to others with similar...

Aducanumab has been a hot topic in the field of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Aducanumab, also known as Aduhelm, is a new Alzheimer's drug for people with Alzheimer's disease in their early stages with mild cognitive impairment. With so many questions, it helps to have answers from experts like Dr. Jason Karlawish, Neurologist and Co-Director of the Penn Memory Center. In this e...

Angie Burke was a Registered Nurse and worked for 26 years at a hospital in her community, specializing in palliative care, until On September 23, 2013, she suffered a large stroke and was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy. ​Following an episode of depression, Angie became more determined than ever began exercising daily, and eventually became an amateur bodybuilder. In May of 2017 she competed i...

If you're just starting out with helping care for aging parents, you might be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to help. Not only are you flooded with loads of new information about medical conditions, you’re also experiencing complex family dynamics and your own messy feelings to manage in the midst of it all.  Today's episode will help to guide you in the common yet difficult exper...

I have to admit, as a Geropsychologist who strives toward anti-ageism, when I set out to read Steven Petrow’s new book, STUPID THINGS I WON’T DO WHEN I GET OLD, I was skeptical. I judged the book by its title and doubted that it would match my mission of anti-ageism, but boy was I wrong. Steven Petrow’s new book is a warm and witty journey through aging and the valuable lessons learned along the w...

Elder abuse and exploitation have a significant impact on older adults who experience it, including an increased risk for death, worsening of chronic illness, increased likelihood of hospitalization and placement in a nursing home, as well as increased rates of depression, anxiety, among other consequences. Legal justice can, at times, be helpful to restoring a sense of personal security and recla...

One out of every 20 older adults in the U.S. is a victim of financial exploitation, losing an average of $80,000 to $186,000 (olderadultnestegg.com). The vast majority of elder financial abuse cases are most likely to be somebody the older adult knows: family members (54%), 31% care workers, and 13% partners (Jackson, 2016). Banks and money service businesses reported a 400% increase in suspicious...

At 93 years old, Beverley Schottenstein filed financial abuse charges against two of her grandsons, Evan Schottenstein and Avi Schottenstein, and JP Morgan. A ruling in February 2021, found the two grandsons and JP Morgan liable for abusing their fiduciary duty and making fraudulent misrepresentations. They also found the bank and Evan Schottenstein liable for elder abuse. It ordered JP Morgan and...

As senior care professionals, mental health providers, and family caregivers, it's essential that we raise awareness and increase our knowledge around elder abuse, self-neglect, and resources for reporting suspicions of elder abuse. In this episode, you'll learn:  The answer to "what is elder abuse?" Including financial, physical, and emotional. The difference between elder abu...

In honor of PRIDE, I am reposting an interview with Dr. Tim Johnston, Senior Director of National Projects at SAGE. In this interview, Dr. Tim Johnston shares important insights about LGTBQ Seniors and provides resources for LGTB Older Adults.  About Tim Johnston, PhD: Dr. Tim Johnston, the Senior Director of National Projects at SAGE. In this role, Dr. Johnston oversees the SAGECare cultural comp...

In honor of PRIDE, I am reposting an interview with Loree Cook-Daniels, founder of the Transgender Aging Network. In this interview, Loree shares important insights, tools, and resources for working with Transgender older adults and their partners.  About Loree Cook-Daniels Loree Cook-Daniels has been working on both LGBT and aging issues since 1974. In the ‘90s she was a primary staff person for...

The stories of people living with dementia and their families need to be told, heard, and valued. I'm honored to share the life of, MJ Grant, as she describes the legacy of caregiving in her family, her transition to becoming a caregiver, and the isolation many Deaf people living with dementia experience. Here's what you'll discover in this beautiful interview:  [06:26] MJ talks abo...

Today, I launch the Center for Mental Health and Aging website. As I unveil this exciting website and resource hub, I realize that despite pouring so much of myself into this website, you don’t know much about me.   So, today as I celebrate the launch of the Center for Mental Health and Aging, I’m sharing a little bit more about myself, and some of the very personal experiences in my own life that...

Suicide is heart breaking and tragic. Today's guest, Yeates Conwell, MD, geriatric psychiatrist and leading expert on suicide among older adults is on the podcast to guide us in understanding late life suicide and how we can help older adults who may be suicidal.   With older white men over 85 having the highest rates of suicide, more than any other age group, it's essential that we have...

In 2020, researchers found that ageism cost the US $63 billion dollars in one year and resulted in 17.04 million cases of 8 of the most expensive health and mental health conditions, including heart disease, dementia, cancer, diabetes, mental health conditions, among others. In this episode, you'll learn about ageism, how age discrimination affects the physical and mental health of older adul...

Anxiety is NOT normal with aging and can be effectively treated. Unfortunately, anxiety in the elderly often goes undetected and untreated largely due to the false belief that with age it’s normal to have a mental health problem. Good news:  Anxiety is highly treatable in older adults! Here's what you'll learn in this episode: [03:11] What is anxiety? [05:10] What are the different types...