For many people living with Parkinson’s Disease, sexual functioning can change, but intimacy doesn’t have to. I was working with a 70-something husband and wife a few months ago. The wife was living Parkinson’s Disease and had extreme tremors in her arms and hands. Her tremors were very uncomfortable and extremely distressing to her. But […]

You’ve heard of the situation where an older adult starts to experience depressive symptoms. They become withdrawn. Their mood starts to change. They become more tearful, more sad, more nostalgic, experiencing despair. And the family is out of sorts. They don’t know what to do. They wonder is this normal? Is this not normal? Will […]

There are many older adults who may be experiencing new mental health conditions and have never connected with a mental health care provider and may be reluctant to move forward.     Here are 6 pieces of expert advice that I share with older adults new to the mental health space.     Expert advice […]

Many people dread growing older based on assumptions they have about aging. As we age and find ourselves spending time with older adults, it is important to understand what is typical and not typical with aging, as well as the positive aspects of aging.    In fact, research shows that you can help preserve your […]

Assisted living and long-term care communities have a duty to ensure that residents’ rights of sexual autonomy and self-determination are honored and equally have a duty to protect residents from harm.   A sexual health policy helps to ensure that both standards are being met.     What is a sexual health policy? A sexual […]

Love, intimacy, and sexuality are important aspects for people living with dementia and their intimate partners.   A growing body of research tells us that the majority of older nursing home residents, including those with dementia disorders, continue to value intimacy1,2.   It’s time we shift the narrative about dementia and sexuality toward a more […]

People with dementia have rights, including the right to sexual expression. To understand sexual expression among people with dementia, we must become familiar with sexual expression among older adults in general. Sexual Expression in Older Adults Studies show that older adults continue to enjoy intimate relationships throughout their lives. Sexual health is an essential part […]

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 […]

By 2034, there will be more adults 65 and older than children under the age of 18. Approximately 1 in 4 of older adults experiences a mental health condition, including depression, anxiety, dementia, substance use and more, yet the vast majority of these older adults struggle to get adequate mental health care, resulting in worse […]

Understanding the role transitions along the caregiver’s journey will help you to gain clarity with the common struggles and what you can do about them. Knowing that you’re not alone and having tools to manage challenges that may arise helps will help you along the caregiver’s journey and reduce stress and feelings of guilt and […]

Dear Dr. Koepp, My 85 year old dad is calling me multiple times a day. It’s interrupting my time at work. Sometimes he needs something. Sometimes, he just wants to check in. He has someone assisting him, but he’s always calling me. Can you address how to handle an elderly parent who is calling me […]

With older adults being more likely to vote than any other age group and dementia affecting older adults more than any other age group, questions about dementia and voting naturally arise! Can people with dementia vote? Like most things related to voting, there’s concern and controversy. Everything from personal opinions from caregivers, like: “This is […]