A couple years ago, I worked with Mr. Davis, a Black man who was 85 and held a strong Jehovah’s Witness faith.  He was in therapy due to a recent separation from his wife. This resulted in lowering his position in his Jehovah’s Witness congregation.…

With age, the thought of cognitive impairment can loom large, casting a shadow on what should be your golden years. You’re not alone in this journey. This article is dedicated to exploring the main causes of cognitive impairment in old age and providing practical, actionable…

  Imagine this scenario: you’re sitting with your loved one reminiscing about a very special time in your life and your loved one struggles to recall an important part of the story that used to bring them so much joy. Is this simply a mere…

Diving into the vast ocean of cognitive impairment in older adults can be challenging, especially when waves of denial or lack of awareness obstruct the view. As healthcare providers, we often find ourselves caught in the current, struggling to navigate these tumultuous waters. The aging…

Ageism includes bias, stereotypes, and discrimination based on age and disproportionately impacts older adults.   In this video interview, hosted by Jane Catton, CEO of AgeWell Vermont, you’ll learn different types of ageism common stereotypes about aging how ageism affects older adults 3 steps to…

For many people living with Parkinson’s Disease, sexual functioning can change, but intimacy doesn’t have to. I was working with a 70-something husband and wife a few months ago. The wife was living Parkinson’s Disease and had extreme tremors in her arms and hands. Her…

You’ve heard of the situation where an older adult starts to experience depressive symptoms. They become withdrawn. Their mood starts to change. They become more tearful, more sad, more nostalgic, experiencing despair. And the family is out of sorts. They don’t know what to do.…

There are many older adults who may be experiencing new mental health conditions and have never connected with a mental health care provider and may be reluctant to move forward.     Here are 6 pieces of expert advice that I share with older adults…

Many people dread growing older based on assumptions they have about aging. As we age and find ourselves spending time with older adults, it is important to understand what is typical and not typical with aging, as well as the positive aspects of aging.   …

Depression is a medical condition that impacts more than 7 million adults over the age of 65. Depression can affect mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.   Why is screening for depression in older adults important? The earlier we can identify a depressive disorder and…

There’s a phenomenon that occurs as we age that we actually become more resilient over time. That in fact, the experience of moving through adversity and managing emotional storms, losses, and pandemics throughout our life actually creates psychological resilience. With this in mind as we…

Assisted living and long-term care communities have a duty to ensure that residents’ rights of sexual autonomy and self-determination are honored and equally have a duty to protect residents from harm.   A sexual health policy helps to ensure that both standards are being met.…