Supporting Emotional Well-Being in Older Adults: Tips for Providers and Caregivers

Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.

Build the skills to support emotional well-being in older adults through empathy, connection, and practical communication tools.

Why This Training Matters

Emotional health is as essential as physical health—especially later in life.

This recorded session highlights effective, compassionate strategies for reducing isolation, building trust, and promoting purpose for older adults in both clinical and home settings.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to recognize emotional distress, grief, and anxiety in aging populations
  • Communication strategies that build safety, trust, and understanding
  • Tools for maintaining dignity and autonomy in caregiving relationships
  • Ways to strengthen social connection and a sense of belonging
  • How providers and families can collaborate to support long-term well-being

Who Should Watch

  • Mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, counselors, and therapists)
  • Pediatricians and primary-care providers
  • K-12 and university educators and school staff
  • Public health professionals
  • Parents and caregivers
  • Community and faith leaders
  • Executives, managers, and HR professionals

Event Details

  • Date Recorded: February 24, 2026
  • Length: 60 minutes
  • Presenter: Marie Clouqueur, LICSW

Watch this free, on-demand training and learn how simple, evidence-based strategies can make a profound difference in the emotional well-being of older adults.

Topics Covered During This Training

  • How can we tell which emotional or behavioral changes in older adults are just normal aging, and which might signal something more serious?
  • Older adults face changes like retirement, losing loved ones, and health issues. What are some challenges people often face during these transitions?
  • How do grief and cumulative loss affect emotional well-being in older adults?
  • In what ways do cognitive and physical changes impact emotional health?
  • How common is loneliness among older adults?
  • How does stepping away from long-term roles, like a career someone has had for decades, impact a person’s sense of identity?
  • What’s normal when it comes to identity challenges in aging, and when should family or caregivers be concerned about severe anxiety or depression?
  • Do adult children sometimes unintentionally project their own expectations onto their aging parents?
  • How can families balance an older adult’s independence with safety concerns? What factors influence decisions about when to step in?
  • What can family members do, even if they aren’t the primary caregiver, to help an older adult feel needed and appreciated?
  • Why is it so important to listen to what an aging adult has to say?
  • Tough conversations—like talking about driving or living arrangements—can be stressful. How can families navigate these without damaging the relationship?
  • If a difficult conversation upsets an older adult, what’s the best way to repair trust and keep the relationship healthy?
  • Are there specific questions or phrases families can use to make older adults feel heard and valued, rather than dismissed?
  • Care often involves a team of family and professionals. What are some challenges in this team approach, and how can communication be improved?
  • What approach works best when supporting older adults with dementia?
  • How can family members let go of expecting their parents to be who they once were, and instead connect with who they are now?
  • For clinicians, what’s the best way to collaborate with families and spot warning signs that may require more urgent care?
  • Are there resources people can turn to for more information about supporting older adults?
  • What’s the best way to help an elderly relative who refuses assistance?

The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.

Resources

You may also find this additional information useful:

About the Expert

Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, is the director of the GUIDE Program and Caregiver Services in McLean’s Division of Geriatric Psychiatry. Her clinical work provides psychotherapy to improve caregiver resilience and to support older adults living with mental health challenges or dementia. Her research centers on caregivers, pre-death grief, and community partnerships that expand access to care.

Topics