In today's interview, Dr. Natali Edmonds, Geropsychologist and founder of Dementia Careblazers, talks about how to improve communication in dementia care by sharing: 

• 3 caregiving communication traps to avoid and what to do instead
• A very important message she wants all dementia caregivers to hear. 

The tips in this episode will not only help you improve your communication with a person with dementia, they'll improve your connection with them as well.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn from my interview with Dr. Natali Edmonds

• [09:26] Learn how dementia changes communication between a dementia caregiver and a person living with dementia. 
• [09:40] Caregiving Trap #1: Don't Argue. Dr. Natali shares why arguing with a person with dementia leads to more problems and what to try instead. 
• [19:00] Caregiving Trap #2: Avoid Reasoning. Instead of reasoning and trying to get your loved one to see your point of view or "reality" try to join your loved one's reality. Learn how. 
• [27:20] Caregiving Trap #3: Stop Correcting. Adults with dementia will need help along the dementia journey. Taking the time to assess if your loved one really needs your help or if this "error" can slide will protect your relationship (and their dignity) for years to come. 
• [30:10] Listen to the number one, most important message Dr. Natali wants all dementia caregivers to hear

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!
• The

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

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.

👉 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

In this Caregiving Bonus episode, I answer the following question from a listener: 

My 85 year old dad is calling me multiple times a day. It’s interrupting my time at work. Sometimes he needs something. Sometimes, he just wants to check in. He has someone assisting him, but he’s always calling me. Can you address how to handle an elderly parent who is calling me all day long. 

Thank you, 

Theresa in Atlanta

The 5 expert strategies I share in this brief episode will help you and your parent work together as a team to manage what can be a stressful and challenging situation.

These strategies are will help whether you're a long distance caregiver or caring for your loved one in your own home. These caregiving tips and hacks will help you be less frustrated and have a more loving relationship with your elderly parent.

Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.
Click here to listen to the podcast

FREE GUIDES

• Download the Caring for Aging Parents Checklist here.
• Download the Memory Loss Guide here

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.

👉 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

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

 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.

Today's guest, Dr. Fayron Epps, Nurse Scientist and Assistant Professor at Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, is focused on changing this by improving access to resources and awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias in African American and faith communities by conducting research and providing education. 

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn from my interview with Dr. Fayron Epps:

• [08:24] Dementia education is essential to caring for loved one's with dementia. Dr. Epps describes the importance of education and resources about dementia, in particular, in African American communities
• [13:32] Dr. Epps describes the role of African American churches as the cornerstone to the Black community and as a safe haven for many Black families. 
• [16:57] Dr. Epps describes ways in which education about dementia transforms the caregiving experience. 
• [20:07] With systemic racism and strained relationships with the health care system disproportionately affecting African Americans, Dr. Epps shares her personal testimony of working through her own mistrust with the health care system. 
• [23:44] Dr. Epps provides recommendations to African American individuals and families about working through their own mistrust of the health care system
• [28:39] The number one recommendation Dr. Epps has for families concerned about an older loved one. 

 

Click here to listen to the podcast

Download the Memory Loss Guide here
Download the Caring for Aging Parents Checklist here.

Click here to visit the show notes page to learn more.

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

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

We have a narrative in society that says that caregivers have more depression and stress, spend their caregiving years suffering, only to lead to premature death. Our guest today shares a more balanced and factual narrative about caregivers.

Yes, many caregivers do indeed have increased rates of stress and depression. Research shows, however, that caregivers are remarkably resilient and actually DO NOT have a reduced lifespan as a result of caregiving.

Our guest today, Dr. William Haley, Professor of Aging Studies, reveals how caregiving actually affects caregivers and shares several resilience strategies you can use (starting today) to bolster your resilience and lower your stress. Listen until the end for all the great tips and strategies.

Here's a peak inside my interview with Dr. William Haley:

• [04:02] Dr. Haley shares his story: Where he's from and what inspired him to study aging and caregiving.
• [8:23]  Learn about a stress and coping model tailored just for caregivers.
• [14:33] Caregivers are more physically and psychologically resilient than we give them credit for. Learn all about caregiver resilience here. 
• [18:18] It used to be thought that the stresses of caregiving shortened our life span. But the reality is that caregivers who are stressed and depressed are actually living longer than non-caregivers who are stressed and depressed.
• [21:14] There are many benefits to finding meaning as a caregiver, one of the benefits being that it helps you cope with stress. 
• [33:03] Dr. Haley summarized his recommendations of ways caregivers can bolster their resilience.
  
  

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.

Interested in working with me? 

• Families: Click here
• 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.

To leave a review, simply:
1. Click here
2. Scroll down to "Ratings and Reviews" 
3. Tap or click "Write a Review"

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

Have you helped your loved one move to a senior living or assisted living community? Do you find that in the midst of experiencing relief that your loved one is being cared for and is safe, you also have intense feelings of guilt and shame?

You're not alone. Many caregivers struggle with guilt and shame after moving older loved ones into a senior living community. Perhaps you feel that you've let your older loved one down, like you're not being a dutiful spouse, daughter, or son. This can lead to emotional distress and discontent.

To help you navigate the emotionally turbulent waters of caregiver guilt and shame, I've prepared 5 strategies for helping you to move through guilt and shame when helping your older loved one adjust to senior living.  Listen now.

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.


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.

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.

👉 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

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.

👉 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

When he was in his late 80s, Candy Cohn's father unintentionally stopped taking medication for a long-standing bipolar disorder and experienced a significant mental health crisis requiring hospitalization and intensive treatment. It was following this episode that Candy knew that she needed to help her older parents find a senior living community that would provide more continuity and medication management and offer opportunities for a better quality of life than they were getting at home. But, where to start?

In today's episode, I interview, Candy Cohn, a Certified Senior Advisor, who help families find senior living and has developed a specialty for helping people living with mental health concerns find senior housing, starting with her own dad.

Here's a peak inside my interview with Candy Cohn:

• [04:46] Candy describes different types of senior living communities, from independent living to assisted living to memory care.
• [20:48] Learn why it can be helpful to work with a Senor Living Advisor when looking for housing options for your older loved ones.
• [25:10] Candy shares her personal experience of looking for senior living communities following her dad's hospitalization in his late 80's due to a mental health crisis.
• [32:20] Taking medication consistently helps many people with mental health conditions maintain emotional stability and improve their quality of life. Learn more about medication management in senior living here.
• [38:21] There are some barriers for folks with mental health conditions moving into senior living communities. One of them being stigma. Candy and I share personal stories of mental health stigma.
• [51:38] After helping many older adults with mental health conditions move into senior living communities, Candy shares recommendations for families who are living with mental health conditions who are looking for senior living community
• [55:56] Serving as a liaison between families with mental health conditions and senior living communities, Candy also offers recommendations for senior living communities  including folks with mental health concerns.

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. Cli

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

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 notes


Download 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.

👉 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

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 here

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 an

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