When we think of older adults during COVID, images of older adults living in long-term care communities sheltering in place with hands pressed against windows trying to connect with loved ones circle in our heads. 2020 was a year of incredible hardship and pain for many people and especially for many older adults and their […]

In honor of world AIDS day on 12/1, I am devoting today’s episode to HIV and Aging. And, yes. HIV is an important topic when it comes to aging. An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States had HIV at the end of 2018. More than half of the adults living in the US […]

Family caregivers during COVID are more stressed and overwhelmed than ever before and here are some reasons why: Approximately 61% of caregivers are employed while caregiving. Of these caregivers, 60% work 40 or more hours a week and another 15% work 30-39 hours per week. Caregiving resources during COVID have been limited. Many resources that […]

I recently received a letter from a listener of my podcast: “Dear Dr. Koepp, My mom has recently become depressed. She’s 94 and lives alone. My family and I aren’t sure what we should be doing (if anything). Where should we go from here?” I have tremendous respect for this listener for reaching out to […]

With the recent murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, there has been an important spotlight on racial injustice in this country and the toll that these injustices have taken on Black lives. As a Geropsychologist working in Atlanta, a City in Georgia known for its history of slavery and Civil Rights, many […]

We’ve all heard stories of older adults on lock down in their long-term care community. Maybe you’ve even seen the images of family members visiting their loved ones separated by windows or glass.  Like a granddaughter sharing her engagement ring, a son sitting outside talking on the phone with his dad inside his apartment, or […]

Did you know that people over 65 make up the fastest growing age group in the United States? In fact, every day between 2011 and 2030, 10,000 people in the US will turn 65. Every DAY for 19 years, 10,000 people turn 65! Think about this for a minute. The other day, my neighbor and I were […]

With social distancing in full effect, older adults are encouraged to maintain their distance from others.  But this can have a major impact on your quality of life. It’s essential that during the COVID-19 pandemic that older adults stay physically safe and mentally well. Research shows that older adults who engage in meaningful and productive activities […]

With the Coronavirus affecting adults over 60 at greater levels than other age groups, many older adults are electing to “self-isolate” or are actually on “lock down” at long-term care or skilled nursing communities.    Social distancing and protecting the most “at risk” populations (i.e., adults 60 and older) is the current recommendation. And, I […]

Depression is NOT a normal part of aging, but depression IS the most prevalent mental health condition among older adults. Unfortunately, depression in late life often goes undetected and untreated largely due to the false belief that with age comes depression. This is why it is so important to learn about depression and have tools […]

  Caring for an aging parent who has been hospitalized on a psychiatric inpatient unit is incredibly challenging.   Older adults who end up needing psychiatric inpatient care may have a longstanding mental health condition, a new mental health condition, a mental health condition with medical problems, like dementia,  and countless other scenarios.   If […]

  One of the most common questions y’all send to me and that I’m also asked frequently in my own practice with families are questions surrounding hallucinations, delusions, and psychosis.   So, today, Psychiatrist, Dr. Lisa Frank, helps us understand psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and antipsychotic medications!   Some of you have written to me saying: […]