Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative condition that primarily affects a person’s ability to communicate. Unlike aphasia caused by stroke or brain injury, PPA develops gradually and worsens over time, impacting speech, reading, writing, and language comprehension.

In this episode, we clarify common misconceptions surrounding aphasia and dementia, including why aphasia itself is not dementia — but how PPA can be a subtype of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). We also discuss why not everyone with aphasia has dementia, and why not everyone with dementia develops aphasia.

Listeners will learn:

1. What Primary Progressive Aphasia is and how it differs from other forms of aphasia
2. How PPA fits under the umbrella of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
3. Early signs of PPA and why diagnosis is often delayed
4. Typical age of onset and how symptoms progress through stages
5. Why early diagnosis and supportive therapies matter
6. The three main variants of PPA:
7. - Nonfluent/Agrammatic Variant
8. - Semantic Variant
9. - Logopenic Variant

This episode also addresses public confusion following high-profile diagnoses and explains the progression from PPA to FTD in some individuals. Understanding PPA helps caregivers and families better navigate communication changes while preserving dignity and connection for as long as possible.

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

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If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

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Agnosia is a lesser-known but deeply impactful neurological condition that affects how the brain interprets sensory information — even when the senses themselves are functioning normally. In this episode, we explore what agnosia is, how it presents in dementia, and why it can be so distressing for both individuals and caregivers.

Listeners will gain insight into:

1. What agnosia is and how it differs from memory loss
2. Common types of agnosia, including:
3. -Visual agnosia
4. -Auditory agnosia
5. -Tactile agnosia
6. -Prosopagnosia (face blindness)
7. -Anosognosia (lack of awareness of impairment)
8. How dementia-related brain changes affect perception and recognition
9. Real-life examples, such as not recognizing everyday objects or loved ones
10. The emotional and safety challenges agnosia creates

We also discuss practical strategies to support someone living with agnosia, including communication techniques, environmental adaptations, and assistive tools that can reduce confusion and anxiety. Understanding agnosia helps caregivers respond with empathy and patience, recognizing that misidentification and confusion are symptoms — not choices.

This episode offers education, clarity, and compassionate guidance for families navigating perception and recognition changes in dementia.

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of The Truth Lies & Alzheimer’s, we break down what dementia really is, how it affects the brain, and why understanding the differences between various types of dementia is so important for families, caregivers, and professionals.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of progressive neurological conditions that impact memory, thinking, behavior, and daily functioning. While some cognitive changes are part of normal aging, dementia involves much greater loss of brain cells and connections—and symptoms worsen over time.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

1. The difference between normal aging and dementia
2. Four of the most common types of dementia:
3. Alzheimer’s disease
4. Frontotemporal dementia
5. Lewy body dementia
6. Vascular dementia
7. What is happening inside the brain with each condition
8. Common symptoms and how they progress
9. Typical ages of diagnosis
10. Why dementia can be difficult to diagnose
11. Current treatment approaches and limitations

We also take a deeper dive into Alzheimer’s disease, including:

1. How Alzheimer’s develops in the brain
2. The role of amyloid plaques and tau tangles
3. Early signs and stages of the disease
4. Genetic, lifestyle, and environmental risk factors

The episode closes with practical insight into brain health, overstimulation, and regulation—exploring how constant digital input can contribute to burnout, and why slowing down, disconnecting, and engaging in real-world connection supports clearer thinking and emotional balance.

This information was reviewed and updated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with the most recent updates noted through June 5, 2025.

Resources

1. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
2. National Institute on Aging (NIA)
3. Alzheimer’s & Dementia Research
4. Elder Law Answers – Dementia Risk Factors & Screenings

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of, we’re joined by Louis Swart, Business Coach for Coaches and Founder of Ironbrij, for a thoughtful conversation on how AI can be used to preserve memories and voices for loved ones living with dementia.

Louis shares how families can use AI to create living memory books, where gentle, guided questions help loved ones share their stories—recorded in their own voice. These recordings can become meaningful keepsakes that support connection, identity, and person-centered care.

We discuss how this approach:

1. Helps preserve personal stories and emotional bonds
2. Allows caregivers to capture memories before they fade
3. Uses technology to support dignity, not replace human connection

This episode offers a hopeful and practical look at how innovation can support families navigating memory loss.

About the Guest:

Business Coach for Coaches | Founder of Ironbrij | Author & Speaker

Louis Swart is a Business Coach for Coaches and Founder of Ironbrij, a human-AI-powered VA company helping coaches escape burnout and build self-running businesses. With 35+ years in business, he’s built and sold multiple companies, led 450+ staff, and trained coaches worldwide to delegate smarter, elevate faster, and accelerate their growth.

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of Minding Dementia, we continue our conversation about how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed today. While a definitive diagnosis can still only be confirmed through autopsy, modern medical tools now allow physicians to diagnose Alzheimer’s with up to 90% accuracy while a person is living.

Building on our previous discussion about PET scans, this episode walks through the additional diagnostic tools doctors use to better understand cognitive changes and rule out other causes of memory loss.

We discuss how physicians combine:

1. Medical history and neurological exams
2. Neuropsychological testing for memory, language, and problem-solving
3. Blood tests to rule out other conditions
4. Brain imaging such as CT, MRI, and PET scans

No single test can diagnose Alzheimer’s. Accuracy comes from using multiple tools together to build a clearer picture.

We also explore the growing role of biomarkers, measurable indicators found in blood, spinal fluid, and brain imaging that help identify Alzheimer’s-related changes such as beta-amyloid plaques and tau proteins.

In May 2025, the FDA approved Lumipulse, the first blood test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. This test:

1. Is approved for adults 50 and older with early cognitive symptoms
2. Can rule out Alzheimer’s with over 96% accuracy
3. Is less invasive and more affordable than PET scans or spinal taps
4. Is used alongside other diagnostic tools, not as a standalone test

Earlier and more accurate diagnosis allows individuals and families to plan ahead, explore treatment options, access clinical trials, and better understand next steps.

While no test is 100% definitive without autopsy, today’s diagnostic tools provide meaningful clarity and guidance.

Resources

1. Psychology Today – Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Overview https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/more-than-caregiving/201103/can-alzheimers-disease-only-truly-be-diagnosed-upon-an-autopsy
2. National Institute on Aging – Biomarkers & Dementia https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
3. Northwestern Medicine – Alzheimer’s Diagnosis https://www.nm.org/neurosciences/alzheimers-disease
4. The Lancet – Alzheimer’s Research https://www.thelancet.com

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, we explore one of the most common questions families ask during the Alzheimer’s diagnostic process: How accurate are PET scans? We explain what an amyloid PET scan looks for, what the results can and cannot tell you, and why PET scans are only one part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach.

You’ll also learn how PET scans work alongside cognitive testing, MRI and CT scans, biomarkers, and medical history to help providers make informed, person-centered decisions. This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical understanding for individuals and families navigating dementia testing.

Sources & References

1. The Lancet – Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers and diagnostic imaging
2. National Institute on Aging (NIA) – Dementia biomarkers and diagnostic tools
3. Psychology Today – Dr. Barry Rovner on Alzheimer’s diagnosis accuracy
4. Northwestern Medicine – Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
5. UPMC Neuropathology – Brain autopsy as the gold standard for diagnosis
6. UC Davis Health – Advances in Alzheimer’s testing
7. Mayo Clinic (2025) – FDA-approved blood testing for Alzheimer’s disease

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

We’re revisiting this episode because its insights remain as powerful and relevant today as when it first aired.

In today’s episode, Lisa discusses talking to your children about Alzheiemer’s disease. Many of the highlights of this episode include:

• Tips on how to approach the topic effectively.  
• How to best prepare your child to visit a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Talk to them about what they might experience when visiting a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Specific examples of what to say to your child to help them better cope.
• Resources available to help your child process a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.     

And, much, much, more…don’t miss this informative episode!

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

We’re revisiting this episode because its insights remain as powerful and relevant today as when it first aired.

In today's episode of the Truth, Lies, & Alzheimer's show, Lisa goes into depth about how effective communication is key to working with Alzheimer's disease and dementia sufferers. Probably the most difficult challenge for family members and caregivers to overcome is the ability to understand what people who are living with dementia are trying to tell them, especially when they can no longer articulate their wants and needs the way they did when their brains were healthy.

As the progression of the disease continues to worsen over time, so does the disconnect between us. This is the very reason why it is so important to learn to recognize what has triggered your loved one's behavior and what it is they are desperately trying to tell you. Lisa will share with you many tips and solutions about what you can expect and how to best respond to these occurrences.

In her "What's News" segment, Lisa shares a recent article that talks about how cognitive decline after retirement is a universal trend along with 4 ways to reverse it.

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, we explore one of the lesser-known but deeply impactful experiences people living with dementia may face the “Stranger in the Mirror” phenomenon. This occurs when a person no longer recognizes their own reflection and instead believes they are seeing a stranger, a visitor, or even a new friend.

Through the true story of Harold and his wife, Nancy, we take a heartfelt and enlightening look at how this phenomenon appears in day-to-day life. Harold’s journey—complete with hallway conversations, shared cookies, and misplaced shoes—illustrates the complicated blend of memory loss, perception changes, and shifting self-identity that dementia often brings.

We break down:

• What the “stranger in the mirror” phenomenon is and why it occurs
• How dementia affects self-recognition, perception, and visuospatial processing
• Why mirrors can trigger confusion, fear, or unexpected interactions
• How caregivers can respond with compassion, understanding, and safety in mind
• What environmental and communication strategies can ease distress

Listeners and viewers will also learn practical, actionable tools for navigating these moments, including how to adjust the environment, reduce triggers, create emotional safety, and “join their reality” when appropriate.

This episode offers:

 ✔ A relatable real-life story that captures the emotional core of dementia caregiving

 ✔ Clinical insights into mirror misidentification and related cognitive changes

 ✔ A clear explanation of contributing neurocognitive and environmental factors

 ✔ Communication approaches caregivers can use to reduce fear and frustration

 ✔ An environmental checklist to help create a more supportive care space

 ✔ Guidance on when to seek additional medical evaluation or professional support

The Stranger in the Mirror phenomenon isn’t just about misrecognizing a reflection—it’s about the profound ways dementia reshapes identity, memory, and perception. By understanding what is happening beneath the surface, caregivers can respond with the patience, empathy, and reassurance their loved ones truly need.

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

In this follow-up segment, Lisa dives into a second set of myths that often lead to misunderstanding and stigma around dementia. These myths cover topics beyond memory, including work ability, daily decision-making, communication, behavior, cultural differences, supplements, technology use, and the belief that dementia is a psychological issue rather than a medical one.

Lisa breaks down each myth with practical truths that help families better understand what dementia really looks like. Listeners learn why independence still matters, how meaningful activities can be adapted, why technology can help rather than harm, and how a full care team—not just doctors—supports better outcomes. These insights offer encouragement, clarity, and realistic expectations for anyone caring for or supporting someone living with dementia.

About the Host:

Author Lisa Skinner is a behavioral specialist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In her 30+year career working with family members and caregivers, Lisa has taught them how to successfully navigate the many challenges that accompany this heartbreaking disease. Lisa is both a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is also a certified dementia care trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. She also holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Lisa’s quest of working with dementia-related illnesses and teaching families and caregivers how to better understand the daunting challenges of brain disease. Her #1 Best-seller book “Not All Who Wander Need Be Lost,” was written at their urging. As someone who has had eight family members diagnosed with dementia, Lisa Skinner has found her calling in helping others through the struggle so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and through her workshops on counter-intuitive solutions and tools to help people effectively manage the symptoms of brain disease. Lisa Skinner has appeared on many national and regional media broadcasts. Lisa helps explain behaviors caused by dementia, encourages those who feel burdened, and gives practical advice for how to respond.

So many people today are heavily impacted by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The Alzheimer's Association and the World Health Organization have projected that the number of people who will develop Alzheimer's disease by the year 2050 worldwide will triple if a treatment or cure is not found. Society is not prepared to care for the projected increase of people who will develop this devastating disease. In her 30 years of working with family members and caregivers who suffer from dementia, Lisa has recognized how little people really understand the complexities of what living with this disease is really like. For Lisa, it starts with knowledge, education, and training.

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