Psychology of Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

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

Have you had an end of life conversation with a loved one? What feelings came up for when you read this? Fear? Sadness? Longing? Remorse?

Naturally, when we experience these feelings, we often want to run from them, rather than toward them.

But, did you know that when we actually pursue end of life conversations with our loved ones, it actually does more good than harm.

Research shows that end-of-life conversations lead to improved mental health and better-quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Here's how:

• The person dying reports relief and less distress after talking with their loved ones about end of life wishes
• When there is a meaningful conversation about end-of-life choices, survivors report feeling less guilt and less depression and having an easier process of grieving.

Now that you know end of life conversations can be helpful, in this podcast episode, I interview Patty Webster, lead of community engagement for The Conversation Project, a public engagement initiative to ensure everyone’s wishes for care through the end-of-life are both expressed and respected

Here's a peak inside my interview with Conversation Project's Patty Webster:

• [06:55] Patty shares the touching story of how the Conversation Project got started.
• [09:55] Discover the many benefits of having conversations about end of life wishes.
• [20:56] The Conversation Project is helping healthcare institutions to be "conversation ready". Learn more here.
• [23:51] The Conversation Project has created many free tools to help families start end of life conversations. See which tool is right for you.
• [31:35] It's okay to change your end of life wishes. The Conversation Project shows us how.
• [41:03] "A place of love" is a great place to start when embarking on end of life conversations. Learn more tips for starting this conversation.
• [47:40] Are you a professional? You have an important role to play. Learn more here.

Click to the show notes page, here.

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!

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

Dementia is a devastating illness that often robs families of the opportunity to connect and experience joy. Because of this, it's essential that we find a way to share connecting moments, enjoy one another, and see a little piece of the person eclipsed by the shadow of this devastating illness.

And, I have just the person to help us with this!

In this week's episode, I interview Gary Glazner, the founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project. In this interview, Gary generously shares with us strategies facilitating communication and connection with our loved ones with dementia and even shares about his own experience bringing poetry to his mom at the end of her life.
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn from my interview with Gary Glazner:

• [04:06] Gary talks about using poetry with his mom in her final month of life. The good, the bad, and the hummingbird feeder.
• [06:45] Relationships with our aging parents are not always easy. Gary opens up about his relationship with his mom.
• [08:00] Gary shares the first of four techniques for using poetry, Call and Response
• [10:41] There are many challenges that come with caregiving. Gary describes how the use of poetry help to foster joy and emotional connection.
• [15:21] Researchers are looking at what happens to the brain and the physiological benefits when reciting poetry and using call and response.
• [19:00] The second technique is to have discussions around the poem and the use of props as the third technique
• [23:15] The fourth technique, to create a poem with your loved one, is shared.
• [26:10] Using poetry helps caregivers to slow down (for even 5 minutes) to connect in a deep way with your loved one.

In this episode, Gary gives real life and tactical examples of how you can use these strategies in a group or one-on-one. If you're caring for an aging parent with dementia, or simply value human connection, this is a must listen!
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

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

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 families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults have the greatest risk of requiring hospitalization or dying if they’re diagnosed with COVID-19. This has been one of the most heartbreaking fall outs of the pandemic.
All of this is true, and yet, its only part of the story when it comes to older adults and COVID. Research over the past year has shown that older adults have been, by and large, psychologically resilient during the pandemic.
In this episode, You’ll learn:

• the state of mental health of older adults during COVID-19 compared to adults of younger ages.
• the important role of resilience in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic
• 5 resilience strategies identified by researchers as beneficial for use by older adults.

Click here to visit the show notesDownload the free COVID-19 Wellness Guide for Older Adults
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 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