Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#032- Exercise is essential for healthy aging. Having a consistent exercise routine helps to reduce risk of mental health conditions, improves cognitive function and helps our bodies to function optimally. Knowing the "right" exercise for older adults is key. In today's episode, I interview Eric Levitan, founder and CEO of Vivo,  a digital fitness company focused on strength trainin...

#031 - In 2006, Gina Martin's mother, Diane, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease and died 5 years later. In a tragic yet poetic twist of fate, her father died 3 months later on his birthday of a "broken heart".   To honor her parents and raise awareness about dementia, Gina created the Bob and Diane Fund, which grants a $5,000 award each November to an artist dep...

#030-  Can people with dementia vote? A few weeks ago, I received an email from a listener: "Hello, Dr. Regina, I work in an assisted living facility. As the election approaches, family members of residents on memory care units have asked to have residents vote. Residents on this unit are here because they're unable to make informed decisions and don't have a grasp on reality. Also,...

#029 - 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 diagn...

#028 - Caregivers often approach me with the question: "my parent had dementia, does that mean I'll get it too?" Today on the podcast, our favorite Neuropsychologist, Dr. Vonetta Dotson, is back to talk with us about genetic risk for dementia and reminds us that even if you have an increased risk for developing dementia, there's a lot that you can do to prevent it. Listen all t...

#027 - How well do you know your own assumptions, biases, and values when it comes to aging and sexuality? Have you taken much time to think about this?  Let's take some time right now. After all, if you're not currently an older adult, I'm sure you aspire to become one and desire a healthy and happy life. And, If you're anything like most older adults, sex and sexuality will b...

#026 - Cannabis use, marijuana, and medical marijuana is becoming more and more acceptable and popular among older adults.  In fact, millions of people are finding it useful for chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, PTSD, fibromyalgia, colitis, and a wide variety of medical conditions. This is not, however, without controversy or side effects.  I've even heard dementia caregivers giving CBD to the...

#025 - Older adults continue to experience mental health concerns as they age. Studies show that when older adults do engage in mental health care, the vast majority of the time they get better.   Here's the tragedy: older adults do not readily pursue mental health care when they need it and as a result are left to suffer needlessly, and sadly have the highest rates of suicide.   My hope is t...

#024 - In honor Suicide Prevention Week, I'm devoting today's podcast episode to older adults and suicide. More specifically, what puts older adults at risk of suicide and how you can help. You may be surprised to hear that older White men over 85 are at the greatest risk and have the highest rates of suicide - more than any other age group.  But, here’s the thing, older adults are too o...

#023 - What if the caregiver has chronic and life threatening illnesses of their own? How does this change the caregiving dynamic?  To help answer this question, I invited my dear friend, Dr. Kandi Schmidt on the podcast to share her wisdom about this complex situation of caring for an older loved one when you yourself have a chronic or life threatening illness.  Dr. Kandi Schmidt is the Director...

#022 - I hear from caregivers pretty regularly that "nobody really understands how hard caring for a loved one with dementia is!" So, I decided to share some facts about dementia caregivers in the hopes that it will provide some understanding and support for the dementia caregiver's journey! If you're caring for somebody with dementia, I see you and I value what you're doi...

#021 - Since COVID started, I have received several emails from people who care about older adults expressing concern for them. Like, a college professor who reached out to me to express concern that her father, who is a physician, made the decision to leave retirement to return to work in a medical clinic during COVID. She shared with me that she was appalled and went so far as to call his medica...

#020 - With COVID rates on the rise, and African American and Latinx folks 2-3 times more likely to have COVID than White Americans, I wanted to bring an expert on the podcast today to share a little bit about why there is this health disparity and what we can do to reduce this disparity, protect ourselves, our families, and strengthen our community in the midst of COVID.   Before we get started,...

#019 - Have you ever thought: "Of course they have dementia, they're old, right?" or  "We all get dementia at some point, don't we?" These statements about older adults make the assumption that with aging comes serious cognitive problems, like dementia! But, these ideas are actually not supported by science and in fact, are a myth. In today’s episode, I answer the que...

#018 - Witnessing memory problems in your loved one can be really scary. You may wonder what's causing the memory problems and you might find yourself fearing the worst. In today's episode, I set the record straight about the benefits to early detection of dementia disorders. There's actually a lot that we can do to make your life and your loved ones life with dementia easier- early...

#017 - Last week, I talked about the 10 "must know" memory loss warning signs. If you missed that episode, listen to this one, then go back and watch that one. Today I'm going to share the 5 steps to take if you're worried that your loved one has memory loss.   Please know that memory loss and memory problems that get in the way of daily life are NOT a normal part of aging. So,...

#016 - In today's episode of the Psychology of Aging Podcast, I share 10 Memory Loss Warning Signs to let you know that you might want to start the conversation with your loved one about memory loss and make an appointment with their doctor for further evaluation.  Let me start by saying that there are common changes in the brain that come with age and growing older. And then there are change...

#015 - You care about your older loved one so much and for some reason, they're just not listening to you and your pleas for them to go to the doctor. You try and you try, but nothing you say is convincing your older loved one that whatever is going on in their body is worth checking out.  In today's episode of the Psychology of Aging Podcast, I share 5 strategies for helping your older...

#014 - If you're a caregiver, you know that caregiving can be rewarding and incredibly challenging, all at the same time. If you're an LGBTQ caregiver, you'll have some unique challenges that straight caregivers don't typically have. Some of these being that LGTBQ Caregivers experience more isolation while caregiving and have poorer mental and physical health in the long run. ...

#013 - Get ready for the confetti because it's Pride!! How do Pride and the Psychology of Aging fit together? Well, let me tell you, there are an estimated more than 3 million LGBTQ folks over 50 living in the US. This number is expected to more than double to 7 million by 2030.  Today, I am delighted to interview Dr. Tim Johnston, the Senior Director of National Projects at SAGE. In this rol...

#012 - 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 bur...

#011 - My heart is heavy this week with all that has been highlighted related to racial injustice and the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor…. and the millions of other lives over the centuries taken by racist acts.  This week, I talk about why I do antiracist work and why you should, too.  Racism is associated with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other serious,  post-trauma...

#010 - You may be surprised to hear that the best sleep aid for older adults with insomnia is not a medication. It's a type of psychotherapy, called CBT-I for Insomnia, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders experienced by older adults. Insomnia essentially means that a person has trouble falling or staying asleep, or experienc...

#009 - Suicide is an important topic when it comes to older adults. Here's why. White men over 85 have the highest rate of suicide in the country (more than any other age group). Does this come as a surprise to you? It's also important to know that suicide attempts in older adults are more likely to result in death than younger adults due to the following reasons: Older adults plan more...

#008 - I recently received a letter from a listener: "Dear Dr. Koepp, My mom has recently become depressed. She's 94 and lives alone. She has seen her internist and is on 10mg of Lexapro. My family and I aren’t sure what we should be doing (if anything). Where should we go from here?" In today's episode of the Psychology of Aging Podcast, I talk about older adults and depressio...