Love, intimacy, and sexuality are important aspects for people living with dementia and their intimate partners.   A growing body of research tells us that the majority of older nursing home residents, including those with dementia disorders, continue to value intimacy1,2.   It’s time we…

People with dementia have rights, including the right to sexual expression. To understand sexual expression among people with dementia, we must become familiar with sexual expression among older adults in general. Sexual Expression in Older Adults Studies show that older adults continue to enjoy intimate…

The stories of deaf older adults and their families need to be shared and heard. For the past couple of years, I have been following and sharing the story of MJ Grant and her experience with caring for her mom, Carmen, who is deaf and…

By 2034, there will be more adults 65 and older than children under the age of 18. Approximately 1 in 4 of older adults experiences a mental health condition, including depression, anxiety, dementia, substance use and more, yet the vast majority of these older adults…

Have you been struggling to engage your sibling in your aging parent’s care? Perhaps you reach out and they don’t respond. Perhaps they refuse to help. In this article I answer a question from a caregiver on the issue of siblings refusing to help with…

As helpers and caregivers it can be difficult to take a break and give ourselves grace to engage in our own self-care practice. Research shows that caregivers have higher rates of stress and depression than non-caregivers. The sooner you get into the practice of caring…

Over 75% of adults with developmental disabilities live at home with family. There is a growing population of aging caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities, in part due to increased lifespan and extensive waiting lists for residential services (The Arc Autism Now). In honor of…

If you have an aging parent who is a primary caregiver it can be hard to know what to say and do. Caregivers, especially spouses, may be hesitant to ask for help or a break. They may think that this is part of the vow…

Understanding the role transitions along the caregiver’s journey will help you to gain clarity with the common struggles and what you can do about them. Knowing that you’re not alone and having tools to manage challenges that may arise helps will help you along the…

Helping aging parents move into a senior living or assisted living environment can be overwhelming, and emotions can easily escalate. Here are 12 tips for managing those emotions during difficult conversations with elderly parents. 1. Expect that this will be emotional. Expect that this is…

Dear Dr. Koepp, 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…

Have you helped your loved one move to a senior living or assisted living community only to 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?…