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Mental Health + Aging with 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.
Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp
#111- Supporting Older Adults After Disasters: A Guide to Psychological Recovery
Imagine being 85 or 95 years old, surviving a natural disaster like wildfires, hurricanes, or earthquakes, and facing the immense challenge of grieving your losses while navigating emotional and psychological recovery.
Older adults often show remarkable resilience, but unique challenges like chronic health conditions, isolation, and cognitive vulnerabilities can complicate the recovery process.
In this episode, I discuss how to support older adults following disasters, highlighting common reactions, risk factors, and effective strategies for fostering psychological recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Common Reactions: Emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioral responses older adults may experience after a disaster, and how these differ from typical stress reactions.
- Vulnerability Factors: Chronic health conditions, social isolation, and financial challenges that can exacerbate distress.
- Resilience in Older Adults: How past experiences often enhance older adults' ability to recover.
- Practical Strategies: Building trust, fostering community connections, accessing resources, and recognizing when professional mental health care is needed.
- Resources for Support: Key tools like SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline and local Area Agencies on Aging.
Resources Mentioned
- Trauma-Informed Care with Older Adults Guide
- Helping Older Adults After Disasters: A Guide by SAMHSA
- Differentiating Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Unique Considerations for Older Adults
- Helping Older Adults Prepare for Disasters: Essential Resources & Tips
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- National Crisis Hotline for Mental Health: 988
- Find Your local Area Agency on Aging
FREE RESOURCE
If you’re supporting older adults recovering from a disaster, don’t forget to download my Trauma-Informed Care Guide for Older Adults. Together, we can provide the compassionate care older adults need to recover and thrive.
Subscribe and Leave a Review
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend. Together, we can ensure older adults are included in the mental health conversation.
Follow Dr. Regina Koepp on LinkedIn: Regina Koepp, Psy.D.
It's only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults. So, thank you for being here and doing your part.
Link to the show notes page here:
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