#113- Have you ever thought, “Older adults are just set in their ways” or “Therapy isn’t effective for older clients”? If so, this episode is for you. Today, we tackle the hidden biases that even seasoned mental health professionals may hold toward older adults.

You’ll learn:

• What ageism is and how it manifests in mental health care.
• The impact of structural and individual ageism on mental and physical health.
• Research-backed insights, including Dr. Becca Levy’s groundbreaking work on the Stereotype Embodiment Theory.
• How ageism and ableism intersect to create barriers for older adults.

We also explore the unique challenges faced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) older adults:

• By 2030, the older white population in the U.S. will increase by 39%, while the older BIPOC population will grow by 89%.
• By 2050, over 42% of adults aged 65 and older will be BIPOC.
• Studies show that nearly 50% of Black Americans report experiencing racial discrimination in health care, and BIPOC older adults are disproportionately excluded from clinical trials.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for culturally responsive, anti-ageist, and anti-racist mental health care practices.

Let’s rewrite the narrative: Older adults are resilient, capable, and deserving of high-quality mental health care.

Click here to visit the show notes page for all references and resources

Resources Mentioned:

• 5 Expert Strategies for Addressing Memory Loss in Therapy
• Continuing education course on the impact of ageism

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If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend. Together, we can ensure older adults are included in the mental health conversation.

Follow Dr. Regina Koepp:
Website: www.drreginakoepp.com & Center for Mental Health & Aging
LinkedIn: Regina Koepp, Psy.D.

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits

#112- If you’re committed to meeting the mental health needs of older adults, this episode is for you. In 2024, we saw some incredible advancements in mental health research for older adults—insights that can shape how you practice and care for this underserved population.

As a geropsychologist, I’m passionate about equipping you with the tools you need to make a difference. Let’s dive into 5 discoveries in mental health and aging from 2024 that you absolutely need to know.

1. 14 Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia:

• Review the expanded list from the Lancet Commission.
• Learn how addressing these factors can reduce dementia risk by 45%.

2. New Treatments for Depression:

• Explore cognitive remediation and transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS).
• Learn about their benefits for slowing cognitive decline and improving mental health.

3. Importance of Social Connection:

• Feeling lonely increases the risk for dementia by 31%
• Equating risk of loneliness to that of smoking or physical inactivity.
• Learn how to address loneliness in this episode.

4. Anxiety and Dementia Link:

• Findings from the Hunter Community Study on how early anxiety treatment reduces dementia risk.

5. ADHD in Older Adults:

• Learn how ADHD symptoms manifest differently in older adults and why proper diagnosis matters.

Click here for the show notes

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits

#111- Imagine being 85 or 95 years old, surviving a natural disaster like wildfires, hurricanes, or earthquakes, and facing the immense challenge of grieving your losses while navigating emotional and psychological recovery.

Older adults often show remarkable resilience, but unique challenges like chronic health conditions, isolation, and cognitive vulnerabilities can complicate the recovery process.

In this episode, I discuss how to support older adults following disasters, highlighting common reactions, risk factors, and effective strategies for fostering psychological recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Common Reactions: Emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral responses older adults may experience after a disaster, and how these differ from typical stress reactions.
• Vulnerability Factors: Chronic health conditions, social isolation, and financial challenges that can exacerbate distress.
• Resilience in Older Adults: How past experiences often enhance older adults' ability to recover.
• Practical Strategies: Building trust, fostering community connections, accessing resources, and recognizing when professional mental health care is needed.
• Resources for Support: Key tools like SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline and local Area Agencies on Aging.

Click here for the show notes

Resources Mentioned

• Trauma-Informed Care with Older Adults Guide
• Helping Older Adults After Disasters: A Guide by SAMHSA
• Differentiating Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Unique Considerations for Older Adults
• Helping Older Adults Prepare for Disasters: Essential Resources & Tips
• SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
• National Crisis Hotline for Mental Health: 988
• Find Your local Area Agency on Aging

FREE RESOURCE

If you’re supporting older adults recovering from a disaster, don’t forget to download my Trauma-Informed Care Guide for Older Adults. Together, we can provide the compassionate care older adults need to recover and thrive.

Subscribe and Leave a Review

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend. Together, we can ensure older adults are included in the mental health conversation.

Follow Dr. Regina Koepp on LinkedIn: Regina Koepp, Psy.D.

It's only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults. So, thank you for being here and doing your part.

Link to the show notes page here:

Have a topic idea? Send us a text.

PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here


Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits