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Since COVID started, I have received several emails from people who care about older adults expressing concern for them. Like, a college professor who reached out to me to express concern that her father, who is a physician, made the decision to leave retirement to return to work in a medical clinic during COVID. She shared with me that she was appalled and went so far as to call his medical practice and complain.

There have been countless ageist expressions since the coronavirus started. And the problem with ageism, even well-meaning ageism, is that it has the effect of harming older adults rather than helping them. 

The APA Committee on Aging (APA CONA) defines ageism as “stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups based on their age.  It can include prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or institutional policies and practices that perpetuate stereotypical...

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 learn more about depression in older adulthood.

Let me start by saying that 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 and resources to help older adults to get treated for depression if and when they need it.

What are the rates of depression in older adults?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 1% to 5% of people 65 and older living in the...

Get ready for the confetti because it's Pride!!

How do Pride and the Psychology of Aging fit together? Well, let me tell you, there are an estimated more than 3 million LGBTQ folks over 50 living in the US. This number is expected to more than double to 7 million by 2030. Okay, but here's the thing. These are just estimates the numbers are probably higher, but they're estimates because the US Census hasn't captured how many LGBTQ folks actually live in America. Boo.

Why is this so important?

In a matter of one month, two older men (one in his 70s and the other in his 80s, each married to women) revealed to me that they were bisexual. They wished to spend time in therapy learning more about themselves, their sexuality, and sexual identity. One of my clients had such little access to information about sexual identity over his lifetime that he takes notes during our sessions.

And guess what?! This is not entirely unusual. There are nearly twice as...

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 of the African American seniors I work with have experienced indentured servitude, sharecropping, Jim Crow, no voting rights, and segregation (to name only a few). These experiences, coupled with modern-day atrocities and racial injustices, result in cumulative race-related stressors that have a profoundly negatively impact their physical and mental health.

• Cardiovascular Disease: African Americans have two to three times the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with Whites at any...

Dementia is one of the most important, but often overlooked, health care issues related to older African Americans.

In fact, research shows that African Americans are two to three times more likely to develop a dementia disorder (compared to European Americans) and at the same time are less likely to be diagnosed early in the disease process and provided with adequate treatment.

The burning question is "WHY?!!".

Luckily there are experts, like Dr. Vonetta Dotson, Neuropsychologist, who can help us understand why this is happening and what we can do about it.

In this week's interview, Dr. Dotson shares biological, genetic, and social factors that increase the risk for dementia. She also shares what you can do to ensure that your loved ones are getting the best, most equitable and comprehensive health care. AND, she shares tips for keeping your own brain healthy!

So, take some time to listen to the podcast now!

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My heart is heavy this week with all that has been highlighted related to racial injustice and the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor…. and the millions of other lives over the centuries taken by racist acts.

This week, I talk about why I do antiracist work and why you should, too. 

Racism is associated with depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other serious conditions like, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders. The stress caused by racism can contribute to the development of cardiovascular and other physical diseases, including dementia.

Here's a peak inside the episode:

• I share surprising statistics on disparities in health and health care due to racism. If the statistics on disparities related to maternal mortality rates for African American women don't compel you to be anti-racist, you may need to check your pulse.
• There is a mental health toll to having experienced racism as an African American...

You may be surprised to hear that the best sleep aid for older adults with insomnia is not a medication. It's a type of psychotherapy, called CBT-I for Insomnia, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders experienced by older adults. Insomnia essentially means that a person has trouble falling or staying asleep, or experiences non-restorative sleep. This, of course, can lead to issues during the day like cognitive problems and mood and emotional issues.

Did you know that as many as 50% of older adults complain about difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep? And in fact, older adults (people 65 and older) are more likely to experience insomnia than younger or middle aged adults.

But here's the thing... Sleep problems in elderly adults are treatable. In as little as one to ten (1-10 sessions) of CBT-I, older adults sleep better!

Today's guest, Dr. Daniel Wachtel is a...

Suicide is an important topic when it comes to older adults. Here's why.

White men over 85 have the highest rate of suicide in the country (more than any other age group). Does this come as a surprise to you?

It's also important to know that suicide attempts in older adults are more likely to result in death than younger adults due to the following reasons:

• Older adults plan more carefully and use more lethal means
• Older adults are less likely to be discovered and rescued
• Less likely to recover from a failed attempt

And here's where you come in!  In today's episode, I share exactly what to say and do to help the older adults in your life who may be suicidal. 

A quick but important disclaimer as we get started:

I will be talking about suicide and suicide prevention and in doing this I'm going to be sharing a story that was published in the New York times in December 2019. I know that suicide is a very sensitive topic and...

"Dear Dr. Koepp, My mom has recently become depressed. She's 94 and lives alone. She's seen her internist and is on 10 milligrams of Lexapro. My family and I aren't sure what we should be doing (if anything). Where should we go from here?"

In today's episode of the Psychology of Aging Podcast, I talk about older adults and depression. I share what you need to know and how you can help.

And here's why this is so important.

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.

Here's a peak inside the episode:

• [03:46] Many families don't know where to start when it comes to their older loved ones and depression. I share where to begin when you notice signs of depression.
• [06:04] Depression is not a normal part of aging. So,...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be married for more than 50 years, become a widow, then have the courage to put yourself out there and find love again?

Well today is a very special day because I get to introduce you to Steve and Marie. A new couple who found love after loss in their late 70s. In today’s episode Steve and Marie share their love story and open up about their journey from grieving to finding love again.

Here’s a look inside my interview with Steve and Marie:

• [03:52] After meeting Marie at the Elks Club, 3 years earlier, Steve got the courage to ask Marie out for a cup of coffee. Their love story starts here.
• [06:15] Steve and Marie share the reactions of friends and family when they learned of Steve and Marie's romance.
• [07:43] Mature love is different from young love; Steve and Marie share what it's like to find love at this stage of life.
• [09:21] Each widowed after 50 or more years of marriage, Steve...