If you’ve ever been told that “a little wine is good for you,” you might want to hear what the latest science says—especially when it comes to the aging brain.In this episode, I share compelling new research showing that even moderate alcohol use in midlife and later life may significantly increase the risk of dementia. I’ll walk you through why alcohol use in older adults often goes undetected, how it impacts brain health, and the exact screening tools and questions I use—and that you can use too—to spot red flags early.This isn’t about scare tactics. It’s about equipping you with the facts, the tools, and the confidence to support safer, healthier aging. Whether you’re a therapist, care manager, or simply someone who wants to protect your own brain health, you’ll come away knowing why there may be no safe level of alcohol when it comes to dementia prevention.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:1⃣ The brain changes alcohol accelerates—from memory loss to neurotransmitter disruption. 2⃣ Why “invisible” alcohol misuse often goes undetected in later life—and how to spot it. 3⃣ Three screening tools every clinician should know: SMAST-G, AUDIT-C, and CAGE Questionnaire. 4⃣The good news: Older adults can recover—and often have better treatment outcomes than younger adults when care is tailored to them.<a href='https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/podcast/link-between-alcohol-dementia-does-moderate-drinking-increase-dementia-risk/'>Click here</a> to get all of the resources mentioned in this episode hereIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend. Together, we’re building a movement for mental health and aging—because there is no expiration date on healing, transformation, and growth.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/952579/open_sms">Have a topic idea? Send us a text. </a>👉 Want to Become an Aging Informed Therapist? Join us for our live CE course on 8/21/25 from 12-1:30pm EST. <a href="https://courses.mentalhealthandaging.com/p/aging-informed-therapist-webinar-live-aug-2025">Click here to learn more.</a> PROFESSIONALS: <a href='https://www.mentalhealthandaging.com/guide/'>Grab your free guide to working with older adults here</a> Attention Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Aging Life Care Experts... <a href='https://courses.mentalhealthandaging.com/'>Click here to get Continuing Education Credits</a>

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128- Link Between Alcohol & Dementia: Does moderate drinking increase dementia risk?

Mental Health + Aging with Dr. Regina Koepp

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