
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
Dr. Regina Koepp
Welcome to The Mental Health and Aging Podcast—your 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 aging—but that’s only part of the picture.
This podcast explores the not-so-physical aspects of aging:
- How purpose and meaning evolve later in life
- The emotional and psychological impact of retirement and life transitions
- Spiritual growth that often accompanies physical decline
- Mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, grief, loneliness, and trauma
- And 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 beyond
Whether 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. It’s development.
And there’s no expiration date on healing, transformation, or growth
Subscribe/Follow now and become the clinician older adults deserve.
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Top 10 Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
![Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp - [Ask Dr. Koepp #001] Elderly Parent Calling Multiple Times a Day? 5 Expert Tips](https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/episode_images/c910fdaa4bda5938adac6712d318ba2cfcaeb02dd26844527259e74836ba75c6.avif)
[Ask Dr. Koepp #001] Elderly Parent Calling Multiple Times a Day? 5 Expert Tips
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
02/13/21 • 9 min

#038- Real Talk about Hospice & Palliative Care with Lauren Marcewicz, MD
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
12/16/20 • 57 min
Have you ever had the experience of meeting up with a dear friend for coffee or talking with your trusted therapist, and all of a sudden, you stumble into a conversation that's a little scary and emotional? Maybe you hesitate for a minute and ask yourself if you're gonna take the risk and really "go there".
I don't know about you, but when I find myself in these situations with a person I trust, and I make the choice to dive in, I end up learning a lot about myself and having an even closer relationship with the person I'm talking with.
I'm going to ask you to "go there" with me today as I interview Dr. Lauren Marcewicz, Palliative Care Physician. In this interview with Dr. Marcewicz, we have a real conversation about hospice, palliative care, family dynamics, and so much more.
Here's a peak inside my interview with Dr. Lauren Marcewicz:
[04:49] Dr. Marcewicz shares what drew her to end of life care.
[08:45] Learn one of Dr. Marcewicz most memorable end of life experiences.
[14:44] Discover the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice
[18:47] I share one of my most memorable experiences with a dying man
[22:44] How someone qualifies for hospice care explained here
[40:19] Active dying is a terms that many hospice and palliative care providers use. Learn what it means.
[45:59] Tips for families starting the end of life journey from a palliative care physician.
[50:21] Learn about the importance of anticipatory grief for the overall grieving process.
Click here to visit the show notes
Interested in working with me? Learn more hereJoin the movement to de-stigmatize mental health for older adults:
- With the Psychology of Aging podcast, my mission is to de-stigmatize mental health for older adults, to improve access to mental health care for older adults, and to create a space that is inclusive of all older adults.
- You can help by sharing episodes, and subscribing to the podcast. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!
- Then, leave a review. Your review will help other people find this podcast.
To leave a review, simply:
1. Click here
2. Scroll down to "Ratings and Reviews"
3. Tap or click "Write a Review"
I read them all. Thank you!
DISCLAIMER:
The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the podcast, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing herself in her TV Show, blogs, and on her website.
Have a topic idea? Send us a text.
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

#042- How to Start a Senior Living Discussion with Aging Parents
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
01/19/21 • 23 min
There may come a time in caring for your older loved one, when you're faced with the dreaded conversation of moving into a senior living or assisted living community. The expert tips in this episode will help you start this conversation without pushing your older loved one away.
Today's episode will share:
- 6 Strategies for setting yourself up for success with the senior living discussion
- Examples of how to start the conversation
- How to go about finding senior housing or assisted living communities
- How to take care of yourself through it all.
Click here to listen to the podcast
Download the Caring for Aging Parents Checklist here.
Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
Join the movement to de-stigmatize mental health for older adults:
- With the Psychology of Aging podcast, my mission is to de-stigmatize mental health for older adults, to improve access to mental health care for older adults, and to create a space that is inclusive of all older adults.
- You can help by sharing episodes, and subscribing to the podcast. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!
- Then, leave a review. Your review will help other people find this podcast.
To leave a review, simply:
1. Click here
2. Scroll down to "Ratings and Reviews"
3. Tap or click "Write a Review"
I read them all. Thank you!
--
DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the TV Show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing herself in her TV Show, blogs, and on her website.
Have a topic idea? Send us a text.
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

#047- Living with Dementia: Finding Purpose and Hope with Christine Thelker
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
02/17/21 • 60 min
Chrissy Thelker was 55 years old when she had her first stroke and was subsequently diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. In today's interview, Chrissy shares her experience of living with dementia and her journey to finding purpose and hope.
With more and more people living with dementia, it's imperative that we gain perspective and understanding of the lived experience of people living with dementia and the importance of advocacy, peer support, and building a purpose-filled life living with dementia.
In this episode, Chrissy Thelker shows us how.
Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
Click here to listen to the podcast
FREE GUIDES
- Download the Memory Loss Guide here
- Download the Caring for Aging Parents Checklist here.
JOIN ME:
- Have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast? Submit your question here
- Join the Caring for Aging Parents Facebook Community here
Interested in working with me?
- For Families: Click here
- For Professionals: Click here
Help others find this show and get tools for caregiving:
- My mission is to give you tools for caring for aging parents so you have peace of mind knowing you're doing everything you can to help your older loved one live their best life.
- You can help by sharing episodes, and subscribing to the podcast. Click here to subscribe in iTunes!
- Then, leave a review. Your review will help other people find this podcast.
I read them all. Thank you!
--
DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the TV Show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing herself in her TV Show, blogs, and on her website.
Have a topic idea? Send us a text.
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

#052- When Aging Parents Need Help: Family Caregiving Roles & Impacts with Dr. Sara Qualls
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
03/23/21 • 52 min
When older adults begin to experience physical or mental health changes, like with dementia disorders, for example, it can be difficult to know the steps to take when aging parents need help. It can be especially difficult for family caregivers to know how to balance autonomy and independence with concerns for risk and safety.
In this episode, Dr. Sara Qualls, clinical geropsychologist and Kraemer Family Professor of Aging Studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), will discuss common role transitions in older families, offer tips for balancing safety and autonomy, and provide tips on having tough conversations with aging loved ones with dignity and respect.
Here's a peak into my interview with Dr. Qualls:
- [10:04] What are some of the common role transitions in older families?
- [13:34] Worried about your aging parent's safety or capacity to make decisions? Steps to take when your aging parent needs help.
- [20:11] Feeling guilty about caregiving decisions? How to repair ruptures in the relationship with your older loved one.
- [22:59] Learn how to balance your older loved one's safety with autonomy
- [27:04] Every family is unique and will make changes in line with their patterns as a family. Learn more here.
- [33:12] Why you may want to reconsider your use of the term, "parenting your parents"
- [37:51] How to invite your older loved one back into the relationship while you're caring for them?
- [45:27] Important considerations for families with a history of toxic or painful relationships.
- [47:55] Interested in caregiver family therapy? Tips for finding a family therapist.
Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
Click here to listen to the podcast
FREE GUIDES
- Download the Memory Loss Guide here
- Interested in working with me?
- For Families: Click here
- For Professionals: Click here
Help others find this show by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to the podcast, or here on i-tunes.
--
DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the TV Show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing herself in her TV Show, blogs, and on her website.
Have a topic idea? Send us a text.
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

#068- Legal Justice for Seniors: Ending Elder Abuse & Exploitation with Page Ulrey
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
07/06/21 • 53 min
Elder abuse and exploitation have a significant impact on older adults who experience it, including an increased risk for death, worsening of chronic illness, increased likelihood of hospitalization and placement in a nursing home, as well as increased rates of depression, anxiety, among other consequences.
Legal justice can, at times, be helpful to restoring a sense of personal security and reclaiming dignity for the survivor of the abuse.
In this interview, Page Ulrey, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the King County Prosecutor’s Office, is on the podcast discussing:
- The impact of elder abuse on older adults
- Barriers to reporting elder abuse cases
- Recommendations to improving elder abuse reporting system
- Common elder abuse cases
- Recommendations for mandated reporters
- Recommendations for loved one's concerned about an older adult
We each have a role in preventing and ending elder abuse. Thank you for being here and doing your part.
Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
For Families: Click here to download the Mental Health & Memory Loss Guide
Help others find this show by subscribing and leaving a review wherever you listen to the podcast, or here on i-tunes.
--
DISCLAIMER: The material on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. Any comments Dr. Koepp may make on the TV Show, blog, or in response to an individual’s story or comments should not be construed as establishing a psychologist-patient relationship between Dr. Koepp and the individual. None of Dr. Koepp's show, website, social media, comments, or group information should be considered a substitute for individualized medical or mental health assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Koepp is only representing herself in her TV Show, blogs, and on her website.
Have a topic idea? Send us a text.
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

Personal Experiences That Inspired My Career in Mental Health and Aging
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
05/25/21 • 21 min

Mild Cognitive Impairment Vs. Dementia Vs. Alzheimer's and What We Can Do About Them with Dr. Jason Karlawish
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
03/03/21 • 50 min

Combat Ageism and Become an Older Person in Training - with Ashton Applewhite
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
08/10/20 • 57 min
#021 - 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. Thankfully there are activists and thought leaders, like Ashton Applewhite.
Ashton Applewhite is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism and an internationally recognized expert on ageism. She speaks widely at venues that have included the TED Mainstage and the United Nations, and is a leading spokesperson for a movement to mobilize against discrimination on the basis of age.
Here’s a look inside my interview with Ashton Applewhite:
- [03:53] Ashton Applewhite and I discuss age, aging, and ageism. We explore the question: does ageism only affect older adults?
- [10:29] Learn how Ashton became so passionate about ageism and combating ageism.
- [13:59] This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism is being released in paperback this month (August 2020). The process of naming this book was an exercise in anti-ageism.
- [19:23] In her book, Ashton uses the terms olders and youngers. Here Ashton describes how these terms might actually be easier to identify with than "seniors" and "older adults".
- [21:50] "Becoming an old person in training means ditching preconceptions looking at and listening carefully to the olders around us, and reenvisioning our place among them." Learn more about what it means to become and old person in training.
- [26:46] The U-curve of happiness shows that we are happiest as children and as older adults. Taking time to learn about the U-curve of happiness will leave a smile on your face.
- [32:02] Ashton reveals her end of life conversation with her children and shares tools for having end of life conversations.
- [37:18] Intimacy and sexuality are important at every age and regardless of ability. Learn what makes people sexy.
- [49:05] Ashton shares her favorite ways to occupy age and confront ageism.
Check out the show notes here!
Rate and Review Psychology of Aging Podcast with Dr. Regina Koepp
If you're on Apple Podcasts, help me help others by rating and reviewing my show. Reviews let others- just like you- care for the older adults in their lives.
It's simple:
1. Just click here
2. Scroll down to "Ratings and Reviews"
3. Tap or click "Write a Review"
I read them all. Thank you!
Have a topic idea? Send us a text.
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
![Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp - [CAREGIVING] Elderly Parent Calling Multiple Times a Day? 5 Expert Tips](https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/episode_images/c910fdaa4bda5938adac6712d318ba2cfcaeb02dd26844527259e74836ba75c6.avif)
[CAREGIVING] Elderly Parent Calling Multiple Times a Day? 5 Expert Tips
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
02/13/21 • 9 min
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FAQ
How many episodes does Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp have?
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp currently has 125 episodes available.
What topics does Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp cover?
The podcast is about Dementia, Health & Fitness, Psychology, Mental Health, Aging, Podcasts, Health And Wellness, Social Sciences, Science, Caregiving and Relationships.
What is the most popular episode on Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp?
The episode title 'Tips for Living Independently and Safely with Alzheimer's & Dementia' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp?
The average episode length on Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp is 35 minutes.
How often are episodes of Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp released?
Episodes of Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp are typically released every 7 days, 1 hour.
When was the first episode of Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp?
The first episode of Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp was released on Mar 23, 2020.
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