Today I had the pleasure of doing an interview with Dr. Regina Koepp, below you will find info on her. The interview was delightful, we talked a lot about the important roll DAI has played in my life since diagnosis. She had read my book, she had a lot of great questions, we talked about the gift of friendship DAI has given me, about the ways it has helped me forge a new life for myself, a life filled with hope and purpose. We talked about the importance of the peer to peer support, self facilitated, where being accepted on your worst day, and your best are not something you worry or question, you just know the acceptance and support will be there. They helped me find my laughter.
It was a great 1.5 hours, it went so quick, we talked about advocacy, about the importance of enabling instead of further disabling , by allowing people with dementia do as much as they can for as long as they can, sometimes it’s easier to just do it for them, sometimes you think you’re helping them but in reality you are further disabling them.
we talked about the need for better collaboration between organizations, instead of competing, competing helps none of the organizations and absolutely does a disservice to people living with dementia. We talked about more efforts are needed to help support people to have a good quality of life, instead of just focusing on a cure. Care until cure, is the only way forward.
I am grateful she reached out to me. I’m glad there is people like Regina who are helping us have our voices heard.
please see Regina info below and check out the work she is doing.
About
Regina Koepp, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist, gerontologist, and an assistant professor in the Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She is also Staff Psychologist at the Atlanta VA Health Care System (VAHCS), where she provides direct patient care and consultation on the Gero-Psychiatry Outpatient Mental Health team.
Dr. Koepp serves on several national, regional, and institutional committees aimed at enhancing care and services for older adults and their families. These include the Geriatric Mental Health Field Advisory Committee of the VA Central Office in Washington, DC, and the Georgia Psychological Association’s Ethics Committee. She is also a founding member of the Diversity Education Committee for Psychology Training at the Atlanta VAHCS and she serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee (DISC) in the Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. Koepp specializes in the aging process, care of older adults and their families, individuals and families experiencing life-altering conditions, chronic and terminal illness, dementia disorders, caregiving, traumatic loss, end of life, and grief and bereavement. She is also the creator and host of the Psychology of Aging Podcast in which she discusses the aging process and its complexities.
Chrissy's Journey 