Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

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Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

Dr. Regina Koepp

131 episodes

2 months ago

When someone is living with both dementia and PTSD, their needs are complex—but support is still possible, and it can make a world of difference. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned as a geropsychologist working with veterans and older adults navigating both cognitive impairment and trauma. You’ll discover: When trauma therapy can still be effective in the early stages of dementia.How dementia progression changes what’s possible for PTSD treatment.The importance of identifying and mini...

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Health & Fitness,

Social Sciences

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When someone is living with both dementia and PTSD, their needs are complex—but support is still possible, and it can make a world of difference. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned as a geropsychologist working with veterans and older adults navigating both cognitive impairment and trauma. You’ll discover: When trauma therapy can still be effective in the early stages of dementia.How dementia progression changes what’s possible for PTSD treatment.The importance of identifying and mini...

Show more...

Health & Fitness,

Social Sciences

Episodes (20/131)

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#131- How to Support Someone with Dementia and PTSD

When someone is living with both dementia and PTSD, their needs are complex—but support is still possible, and it can make a world of difference. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned as a geropsychologist working with veterans and older adults navigating both cognitive impairment and trauma. You’ll discover: When trauma therapy can still be effective in the early stages of dementia.How dementia progression changes what’s possible for PTSD treatment.The importance of identifying and mini...

2 months ago

9 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#130 - Link Between Trauma and Dementia: Can Unresolved Trauma Increase Dementia Risk?

Can Unresolved Trauma Increase Dementia Risk? Trauma doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can change the brain. And when post-traumatic stress goes untreated, the risk for dementia later in life rises. In this episode of my mental health and dementia series, I explore how trauma and PTSD intersect with brain health. Drawing from decades of research and my years working with older veterans, I break down why unresolved trauma increases vulnerability to dementia disorders and what clinicians ca...

2 months ago

25 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#129 - Sleep Problems & Dementia Risk: What Every Provider Must Know

Last week, a therapist told me about her client, an 82-year-old woman who hadn’t had more than 6 hours of sleep in years. “It’s just part of getting older,” the woman sighed. But here’s the truth—fatigue isn’t a normal part of aging, and chronic sleep problems may be quietly raising her risk for dementia. As professionals, we can no longer shrug off insomnia in older adults. The stakes are simply too high. In this episode, I reveal the powerful connection between chronic sleep problems...

2 months ago

16 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#128- Alcohol + Dementia: Does moderate drinking increase dementia risk?

If you’ve ever been told that “a little wine is good for you,” you might want to hear what the latest science says—especially when it comes to the aging brain. In this episode, I share compelling new research showing that even moderate alcohol use in midlife and later life may significantly increase the risk of dementia. I’ll walk you through why alcohol use in older adults often goes undetected, how it impacts brain health, and the exact screening tools and questions I use—and that you can u...

2 months ago

19 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#127 - Anxiety + Dementia: Anxiety Treatment is Essential to Reducing Dementia Risk

Anxiety increases dementia risk by 24% (about the same rate as diabetes) —but treatment for anxiety corrects this. Learn why early detection and treatment in older adults is critical to brain health. In this episode, I unpack the groundbreaking connection between anxiety and dementia. You’ll learn why anxiety is not a normal part of aging—and why your role as a therapist, social worker, psychologist, or aging life care expert is critical in reducing long-term cognitive decline. You’ll walk aw...

3 months ago

12 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#126- Depression + Dementia: How Depression Treatment Prevents Dementia- According to Science

The Hidden Link Between Depression and Dementia Every time I sit with a client and help them move through depression, I know I’m not just helping them feel better in the moment—I may also be protecting their brain years down the road. That’s not just a hope—it’s science. In this episode, I’m diving into the powerful link between mental health treatment and dementia prevention. So many therapists don’t realize that untreated depression in midlife and later life increases the risk of dementia. ...

3 months ago

17 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#125 - Therapy That Works for 30-Year-Olds Doesn’t Always Work at 75 | Why Therapy Needs to Change With Age

If your 75-year-old client stops coming to therapy, it might not be them. It might be your approach. In this episode, I explore why therapy must evolve, just like people, with age. I share five powerful ways to evolve your practice to better serve older adults. While many therapists are trained to work with adults in general, most graduate and continuing education programs focus on midlife or younger adulthood, often excluding older adulthood entirely. The result is a significant gap ...

3 months ago

22 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#124- Chronic Pain and Depression: Breaking the Cycle with Mental Health Care

Chronic pain increases the risk for depression and suicide. The connection between chronic pain and depression is stronger—and more dangerous—than most professionals realize. In this powerful episode, Dr. Regina Koepp sits down with pain psychology expert, Dr. Jennifer Steiner, to uncover the complex and bidirectional relationship between chronic pain, depression, and suicide risk. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why people living with chronic pain are twice as likely t...

4 months ago

14 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#123- Chronic Pain & Aging: 4 Themes Therapists Must Know

Chronic pain isn’t just physical—it's personal, emotional, and deeply misunderstood. And when it comes to older adults, the pain often hides in plain sight. In this episode, I sit down with pain psychology expert, Dr. Jennifer Steiner, to explore the invisible impact of chronic pain and what every therapist must understand to truly help older adults living with it. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective—and four critical psychological themes—that can transform the way you support older adu...

5 months ago

13 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#122 - My Aging Parent Won't Stop Giving Money to A Scammer. What Can I Do?

What do you do when your aging parent is being scammed—and keeps sending money even after you’ve begged them to stop? It’s heartbreaking. It’s infuriating. And it can leave you feeling powerless. If this is happening in your family, you’re not alone—and there is hope. In this episode, I unpack what’s really going on when an older adult falls victim to financial exploitation, why they often can’t stop—even when they know it’s a scam—and how to intervene without shaming or severing the relation...

5 months ago

10 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#121 - Is Late Life Depression Treatable?

Depression is not a normal part of aging—yet it's silently stealing joy, independence, and even life from millions of older adults. Most go undiagnosed and untreated. Why? Because we mistake their suffering for “just getting older.” But here’s the truth: late-life depression is serious—and it’s highly treatable. In today’s episode, you’ll learn how to spot the signs, challenge the myths, and take action that truly changes lives. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What late-onset depression is...

5 months ago

7 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#120 - How I Built the Center for Mental Health & Aging

Ever wonder what it really takes to build a national movement for mental health and aging? In this inspiring behind-the-scenes episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the heart, hustle, and healing that built the Center for Mental Health & Aging. You’ll hear where it all started—from working late nights with two small children at home to battling systemic bias in healthcare settings. I’ll walk you through the moments I nearly gave up, the surprising victories, and the “why” that...

5 months ago

27 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#119- Loneliness in Older People: Must Have Tools to Address Loneliness & Isolation

Loneliness is as harmful as smoking—and 43% of older adults experience loneliness. Social Isolation increases the risk of dementia 31%. The cure? Connection and Belonging. Are older adults really lonelier than young people? You might be surprised by the answer. In this episode of The Psychology of Aging, we uncover the complex truth about loneliness and isolation in older adults—and why their impact is far more dangerous than many realize. You'll learn the critical difference bet...

6 months ago

13 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#118-How Does Financial Exploitation Affect Older Adults' Mental Health?

Have you ever wondered what really happens after someone is scammed out of $25,000? Not only the steps to take after you've been scammed, but the psychological toll? A couple weeks ago, I received an email from a listener asking for help—resources for older adults who’ve been financially exploited. That email sparked this episode, and I’m so glad it did. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it’s really like for older adults after financial exploitation. I’ll share two...

7 months ago

21 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#117- My Personal Experience With Vicarious Trauma: Recognizing and Healing Secondary Traumatic Stress

The first sign I was experiencing vicarious trauma hit me like a ton of bricks. Learn how to recognize, prevent, and heal from the emotional impact of therapy. I am so glad that you're here and joining me for part two of Trauma-Informed Care with Older Adults. Today’s episode focuses on you—the professional in your role of providing care and services to older adults. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, mental health provider, aging services professional, or home health aide, yo...

8 months ago

23 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#116- PTSD and Trauma Informed Care Among Older Adults

Up to 90% of older adults have experienced trauma, yet their needs are often overlooked. Learn the essentials of trauma-informed care and how to foster healing and resilience. Trauma-informed care is essential for supporting older adults across healthcare, mental health, and social service settings. In this episode, we explore: ✅ The difference between trauma treatment and Trauma Informed Care ✅ The three E’s of trauma: Events, Experience, and Effects ✅ The impact of trauma across the l...

8 months ago

29 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#115- Must Know Barriers Keeping Older Adults from Mental Health Care

Did you know that 20-22% of older adults have a mental health condition like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder—yet most go undetected and untreated? This isn’t because these conditions aren’t treatable, but because systemic barriers, misconceptions, and a lack of professional training make it harder for older adults to access the care they deserve. In today’s episode, we break down barriers preventing older adults from receiving the mental health support they need. You’ll learn h...

9 months ago

17 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#114-Finding Joy in Life’s Hardest Moments with Steven Petrow

What if joy isn’t something we find, but something we create—especially in life’s hardest moments? In this episode of The Psychology of Aging Podcast, award-winning journalist and bestselling author Steven Petrow returns to share insights from his newest book, The Joy You Make. After experiencing profound loss—losing both parents, the end of a marriage, and supporting his sister through terminal cancer—Steven embarked on a journey to understand how joy coexists with grief, resil...

9 months ago

42 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#113-Types of Ageism in Mental Health Care: Hidden Biases Harm Clients

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 ...

9 months ago

24 minutes

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

#112- 5 Groundbreaking Insights on Mental Health and Aging from 2024

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...

9 months ago

27 minutes