If you’re committed to meeting the mental health needs of older adults, this episode is for you. In 2024, we saw some incredible advancements in mental health research for older adults—insights that can shape how you practice and care for this underserved population.

As a geropsychologist, I’m passionate about equipping you with the tools you need to make a difference. Let’s dive into 5 discoveries in mental health and aging from 2024 that you absolutely need to know.

1. 14 Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia:

• Review the expanded list from the Lancet Commission.
• Learn how addressing these factors can reduce dementia risk by 45%.

2. New Treatments for Depression:

• Explore cognitive remediation and transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS).
• Learn about their benefits for slowing cognitive decline and improving mental health.

3. Importance of Social Connection:

• Feeling lonely increases the risk for dementia by 31%
• Equating risk of loneliness to that of smoking or physical inactivity. 
• Learn how to address loneliness in this episode. 

4. Anxiety and Dementia Link:

• Findings from the Hunter Community Study on how early anxiety treatment reduces dementia risk.

5. ADHD in Older Adults:

• Learn how ADHD symptoms manifest differently in older adults and why proper diagnosis matters.

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