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Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina KoeppAuthor: Dr. Regina Koepp
Welcome to The Mental Health and Aging Podcastyour go-to resource for evidence-based strategies, mental health tools, and expert insights to support the psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of older adults.Hosted by clinical geropsychologist and founder of the Center for Mental Health & Aging, Dr. Regina Koepp, this podcast is designed for therapists, psychologists, social workers, aging life care professionals, geriatric care managers, and healthcare providers who want to confidently address the mental health needs of older adults.Most mental health and healthcare professionals were trained to focus on the physical changes of agingbut thats only part of the picture. This podcast explores the not-so-physical aspects of aging:How purpose and meaning evolve later in lifeThe emotional and psychological impact of retirement and life transitionsSpiritual growth that often accompanies physical declineMental health challenges like depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, and traumaAnd what actually works in therapy with older adults Each episode delivers: Practical tools and mindset shifts you can use right away Real-life stories of healing, growth, and transformation Behind-the-scenes lessons from building a national movement for mental health and aging Guidance from leaders in geropsychology, health psychology, palliative care, and beyondWhether you're seeking continuing education, clinical confidence, or a deeper understanding of how to help older adults thrive, this podcast is for you.Because aging is more than decline. Its development.And theres no expiration date on healing, transformation, or growthSubscribe/Follow now and become the clinician older adults deserve. Language: en-us Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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#129 - Sleep Problems & Dementia Risk: What Every Provider Must Know
Episode 129
Tuesday, 19 August, 2025
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 and dementia risk—and why ignoring insomnia symptoms can have lasting consequences for brain health.Here's What You'll Learn In This Episode:Why half of older adults report insomnia symptoms (even if they don’t meet full diagnostic criteria)How sleep architecture changes with age—and why that’s not the same as insomniaThe role of deep sleep in clearing beta amyloid, consolidating memory, and regulating emotionsThree major research studies linking short sleep duration to higher dementia riskFive practical steps you can take to assess and improve sleep in older adultsWhy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard, especially for people 65+The dangers of common over-the-counter sleep aids for older adultsHow collaborating with primary care and sleep medicine providers can change outcomesAs professionals, we hold the keys to better brain health in aging—often starting with something as simple, yet essential, as quality sleep.Click here to go to show notes and get resources on sleep and aging. Have a topic idea? Send us a text. 👉 Want to Become an Aging Informed Therapist? Join us for our live CE course on 8/21/25 from 12-1:30pm EST. Click here to learn more. PROFESSIONALS: Grab your free guide to working with older adults here Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... Click here to get Continuing Education Credits
