O'Malley Geropsychology

O'Malley Geropsychology Specialized mental health care for older adults and family caregivers

Nurturing Life: Why Everyone Needs Green Space 🌿As the weather is getting nicer and daffodils and tulips are bringing be...
04/28/2026

Nurturing Life: Why Everyone Needs Green Space 🌿

As the weather is getting nicer and daffodils and tulips are bringing beauty after a long cold winter, our minds may be turning to gardening. Caring for plants provides a profound psychological shift to becoming a nurturer and provider of care. In the later chapters of life, this shift is essential for maintaining a sense of agency.

Caring for plants—whether it’s a full backyard garden or a single succulent on a windowsill—offers unique benefits:

🌿Caring for something living satisfies the innate human need to be productive and useful. It reminds us that we still have much to give.

🌿Gardening requires focus on the present moment—the soil, the water, the new growth. It is a natural form of mindfulness that reduces rumination on negative thoughts.

🌿Outdoor gardening provides essential sunlight exposure, which regulates sleep patterns and boosts mood.

Bring the Outside In: Let's integrate living plants in every home and resident room and create accessible green spaces for gardening in every community.

Thank you to Bridges by EPOCH at Sudbury, Sarah Turcotte, Kristin Johnson, Grace Doherty, and Chris Brooks for hosting m...
03/31/2026

Thank you to Bridges by EPOCH at Sudbury, Sarah Turcotte, Kristin Johnson, Grace Doherty, and Chris Brooks for hosting me today. I loved learning about The Bridges philosophy and approach and seeing the beautiful residences at Sudbury. I am excited for our partnership! And thank you again for the lovely surprise.

Women’s History Month: Why Julia Child is a "Second Prime" Icon We think of Julia Child as a lifelong chef, but she didn...
03/23/2026

Women’s History Month: Why Julia Child is a "Second Prime" Icon

We think of Julia Child as a lifelong chef, but she didn't even begin to study French cooking until her late 30s. Her legendary book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, wasn't published until she was 49, and her television career didn't launch until her 50s.

Julia embraced her "Second Prime" with humor and a relentless curiosity.

At O’Malley Geropsychology, I celebrate the "Late Bloomers." There is a specific kind of confidence that comes with age—the ability to fail, get back up, and keep “cooking”. We learn resilience and perseverance that comes with experience and successfully overcoming challenges. Life is a journey that leads us to incredible destinations.

As March comes to an end, let’s embrace the journey and celebrate the women who found their truest flavor later in life. You never know what comes next!

Women's History Month: The "Iron Nun": Redefining the Limits of the Human Body 🏃‍♀️Sister Madonna Buder didn't start run...
03/16/2026

Women's History Month: The "Iron Nun": Redefining the Limits of the Human Body 🏃‍♀️

Sister Madonna Buder didn't start running until she was 48. She completed her first Ironman triathlon at age 55. Since then, she has completed over 45 Ironmans, earning the nickname "The Iron Nun." At age 82, she became the oldest person to ever complete an Ironman.

In my practice, I see that physical movement is deeply tied to mental vitality. Sister Madonna proves that the narrative of "inevitable decline" is a myth.

Resilience isn't about being young; it’s about refusing to accept arbitrary boundaries.

03/10/2026

Women's History Month: From Mandatory Retirement to National Movement: The Legacy of Maggie Kuhn ✊

In 1970, Maggie Kuhn was forced into retirement at age 65. Instead of slowing down, she became "the gray panther" and founded a national movement that fought against ageism and for intergenerational social justice.

Maggie famously said, "Stand up and speak your mind, even if your voice shakes."

Later life can be the most powerful time to advocate for others with a unique freedom to be bold.

Advocacy and social purpose are powerful buffers against isolation. When we fight for others, we find our own wholeness.

Women’s History Month: The Masterpiece of the Age 🎨Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, didn't star...
03/03/2026

Women’s History Month: The Masterpiece of the Age 🎨

Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, didn't start painting seriously until she was 78 years old. For most of her life, she was a farm wife and mother, but when arthritis made embroidery too difficult, she pivoted to a new medium.

She went on to produce over 1,500 paintings, becoming a global icon of American folk art. What new canvas are you waiting to start?

To the adult children who have recently helped a parent move into long-term care: I see you. You may feel a complex mix ...
02/23/2026

To the adult children who have recently helped a parent move into long-term care: I see you.

You may feel a complex mix of relief that they are safe, and a heavy weight of guilt or exhaustion. It is a common misconception that your caregiving journey ends when the move happens—in reality, it just changes shape.

To sustain yourself during this transition, remember:

✨ Rest is a Requirement, Not a Reward: You have likely been in "crisis mode" for months. Now that your loved one is in a safe environment, give yourself permission to sleep, hydrate, and step back from the logistics.

✨ Shift Your Role: Transition from being the care provider back to being the family member. Use your visits for connection, stories, and presence rather than providing care tasks.

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is a vital part of taking care of them. 🌿

02/18/2026

Thank you to Lawadessa CafĂŠ for hosting Joe O'Malley and I during the Shaken Not Stirred Podcast recording. We enjoyed some delicious coffee and chai in the beautiful cafe while Joe taught me about how to create a podcast and I shared about ways to support older adult family members and caregivers. It was a great experience in a great setting.

02/18/2026

🌿 The Underappreciated Gift of the Passing Years 🌿

In my work as a Geropsychologist, I often hear about the challenges of aging—the physical shifts, the transitions, and the losses. But there is another side to the story of "The Minds That Have Lived" that we don't talk about enough: The profound capacity for gratitude.

Research shows that as we age, our emotional regulation often improves; we gain so much from our life experiences – resilience, perspective, and sense of purpose.

Today, I’d love to start a conversation. Whether you are navigating your own second prime or supporting someone who is:

✨ What is one thing you have become MORE grateful for as you’ve grown older? ✨

Is it the clarity of your values? The depth of long-standing friendships? The freedom to finally say "no" to things that don't serve your peace? Or perhaps a newfound appreciation for the small, daily rhythms of life?

Drop a comment below and let’s celebrate the vitality and wisdom that only time can provide. 👇

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