Ageism includes bias, stereotypes, and discrimination based on age and disproportionately impacts older adults.   In this video interview, hosted by Jane Catton, CEO of AgeWell Vermont, you’ll learn different types of ageism common stereotypes about aging how ageism affects older adults 3 steps to take to challenge ageism   Are you a professional looking […]

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 They become withdrawn.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 […]

Depression is a medical condition that impacts more than 7 million adults over the age of 65. Depression can affect mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.   Why is screening for depression in older adults important? The earlier we can identify a depressive disorder and treat it, the less emotional AND physical suffering older adults […]

There’s a phenomenon that occurs as we age that we actually become more resilient over time. That in fact, the experience of moving through adversity and managing emotional storms, losses, and pandemics throughout our life actually creates psychological resilience. With this in mind as we begin talking about depression and older adults, it’s important to […]

As a clinical health psychologist specializing in chronic pain and illness, I have spent the past 12 years working with people who have chronic pain, and during that time I have learned a lot about the experience of pain and all of the many ways that it can impact one’s quality of life.  One of […]

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 […]

Over 75% of adults with developmental disabilities live at home with family. There is a growing population of aging caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities, in part due to increased lifespan and extensive waiting lists for residential services (The Arc Autism Now). In honor of World Autism Day, we’re providing tips to aging caregivers who […]

If you have an aging parent who is a primary caregiver it can be hard to know what to say and do. Caregivers, especially spouses, may be hesitant to ask for help or a break. They may think that this is part of the vow that they made, thru sickness and health. These 5 tips […]

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 […]

When he was in his late 80s, William Cohn, Candy Cohn’s father, unintentionally stopped taking medication for a long-standing bipolar disorder and experienced a significant mental health crisis requiring hospitalization and intensive treatment. It was following this episode that Candy knew that she needed to help her older parents find a senior living community that […]