Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's

Restlessness is common in people living with dementia and may include pacing, fidgeting, repeatedly standing up, or trying to leave home. While these behaviors can be worrying for caregivers, they are often a sign of an unmet physical or emotional need.

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner explores possible causes of restlessness, including hunger, thirst, pain, discomfort, boredom, anxiety, bladder or bowel needs, and changes in the person’s environment. She also shares practical ways caregivers can respond with greater understanding, reassurance, and safety.

In This Episode:

• Common reasons a person with dementia may become restless
• How pain, temperature, hunger, thirst, and toileting needs may affect behavior
• Ways meaningful activities and familiar surroundings can reduce anxiety
• Why pacing may be calming or purposeful
• How to respond when someone repeatedly wants to leave home
• Simple safety measures caregivers can put in place

Key Takeaway:

Restlessness is often a form of communication. Looking beyond the behavior and identifying the person’s underlying need can help reduce distress while preserving dignity and independence.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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.

Communication often becomes more difficult as dementia progresses. A person may struggle to find words, understand instructions, interpret tone, or express basic needs.

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner shares practical ways caregivers can reduce confusion, frustration, and agitation while helping their loved one feel heard and respected.

Lisa explains the 90-second rule, which encourages caregivers to allow 60 to 90 seconds for a person living with dementia to process information and respond. She also discusses how tone, body language, repetition, visual cues, and simple choices can improve communication.

In This Episode:

• Why extra processing time matters
• How to respond to repeated questions
• Ways to simplify instructions and daily tasks
• How tone and body language affect cooperation
• Strategies for communicating during agitation
• How patience and validation help preserve dignity

Key Takeaway

Effective dementia communication begins with slowing down, using simple language, allowing time for a response, and focusing on the need or emotion behind the behavior.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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.

Caring for someone living with dementia can feel unpredictable, but having a flexible plan can make daily life more manageable for both the caregiver and the person receiving care.

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner discusses how caregiving needs change throughout the early, middle, and late stages of dementia. She shares practical ways caregivers can create supportive routines, recognize common triggers, improve communication, and adjust the home environment as a person’s abilities and needs change.

Listeners will learn how to preserve independence during the early stage, provide additional structure and reassurance during the middle stage, and prioritize comfort, safety, and familiar routines during the later stage.

Lisa also shares helpful communication prompts and non-medication strategies that caregivers can use when responding to confusion, anxiety, agitation, resistance, or discomfort.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How daily routines can be adapted for each stage of dementia
• Common triggers caregivers may notice during the early, middle, and late stages
• Ways to offer choices while preserving dignity and autonomy
• How to break activities into simple, manageable steps
• Communication techniques that provide reassurance and validation
• Environmental changes that may improve safety and reduce confusion
• Non-medication approaches, including music, redirection, reminiscence, light exercise, and meaningful activities
• Why documenting triggers, caregiver responses, and outcomes can help identify useful patterns
• The importance of caregiver breaks, respite care, support networks, and professional guidance

A caregiver planner does not need to be rigid. It should serve as a flexible guide that can be adjusted according to the individual’s preferences, abilities, energy level, safety needs, and stage of dementia.

The goal is not to create a perfect schedule. The goal is to provide greater predictability, reduce unnecessary stress, and help caregivers respond with compassion, confidence, and understanding.

Helpful Reminder

Dementia affects every person differently. Strategies that work one day may need to be adjusted the next. Continue observing the person’s verbal and nonverbal cues, document what appears to trigger distress, and note which responses provide comfort or reassurance.

Caregivers should also seek medical guidance when they notice sudden changes in behavior, increased confusion, signs of pain, medication concerns, changes in eating or drinking, sleep disruption, falls, or other significant health and safety concerns.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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 of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, we welcome Pete DCalke, a Chicago native and host of Pete vs Anxiety. Pete is on a mission to make mental health a part of everyday conversation by creating space for honest, raw, and meaningful discussions.

In this episode, Pete brings that same honest and thoughtful perspective to Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s. Together, we explore the importance of open conversations, emotional well-being, and the power of making people feel seen, heard, and less alone.

Pete believes the way we check in with each other matters. Instead of stopping at the usual, “How was your day?” he encourages a more meaningful question: “Hey, how’s your mental health?” That simple shift can open the door to connection, understanding, and support.

Throughout the conversation, Pete shares from the heart and helps highlight why honest dialogue is so important, especially when discussing difficult subjects such as mental health, caregiving, brain health, emotional well-being, family experiences, and the impact Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia can have on individuals and loved ones.

About the Guest

Pete DCalke is a Chicago native and the host of Pete vs Anxiety. Through his show, Pete brings together therapists, everyday people, and everyone in between for conversations that are raw, real, and genuinely informative.

Pete is passionate about helping break the stigma around mental health, one conversation at a time. His mission is to encourage people to move beyond surface-level check-ins and create space for more honest conversations about how we are really doing.

Why This Episode Matters

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia do not only affect memory. They impact families, relationships, emotions, identity, and the way people experience the world around them. Mental health also plays an important role in how people cope, communicate, support one another, and move through difficult seasons.

Conversations like this help bring awareness to the human side of these experiences. By sharing real stories and thoughtful perspectives, this episode reminds us that support often begins with listening. Whether you are a caregiver, family member, professional, advocate, or someone simply wanting to better understand others, this conversation offers encouragement and connection.

Key Takeaway

Honest conversations have the power to help people feel seen, heard, and less alone. When we ask better questions, listen with compassion, and make mental health part of everyday conversation, we create opportunities for understanding, connection, and healing.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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.

Pain is something every person experiences, but for someone living with dementia, recognizing and communicating pain can become much more complicated.

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa talks about the important connection between dementia and pain. She explains why pain is often overlooked in people living with dementia and how caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals can better recognize the signs of discomfort.

Because dementia can affect communication, a person may not be able to clearly say, “I am in pain.” Instead, pain may show up through behavior changes, facial expressions, restlessness, withdrawal, changes in sleep or appetite, or even increased agitation. When these signs are misunderstood, pain can sometimes be mistaken for a behavioral symptom of dementia rather than a physical need that should be addressed.

Lisa shares practical guidance on what caregivers should look for, how to document changes, and why it is so important to involve the person’s healthcare team when pain is suspected. She also discusses common sources of pain, including arthritis, dental issues, skin discomfort, infections, neuropathy, injuries, and other medical conditions that may be harder to identify when communication is limited.

This episode is a compassionate reminder that people living with dementia do feel pain. They may simply express it differently.

In This Episode

Lisa talks about:

• Why pain is often under-recognized in people living with dementia
• How dementia can affect a person’s ability to explain or understand pain
• Common causes of pain, including arthritis, dental problems, infections, pressure sores, neuropathy, and injuries
• Nonverbal signs of pain, such as grimacing, guarding, restlessness, withdrawal, moaning, or changes in mood
• Why agitation, aggression, or sudden behavior changes may sometimes be signs of discomfort
• The importance of documenting changes in sleep, appetite, movement, mood, and daily routines
• How caregivers can use simple questions, visual cues, and observation to better understand pain
• Comfort-focused strategies such as positioning, warm or cold compresses, gentle movement, supportive seating, and predictable routines
• Why pain management should always involve the person’s physician or healthcare team
• The importance of dignity, compassion, and ongoing reassessment as dementia progresses

Key Takeaway

Pain does not disappear because someone has dementia.

When a person can no longer clearly communicate what hurts, caregivers must learn to listen in new ways. Facial expressions, body language, behavior changes, sleep disruption, appetite changes, and resistance to care can all be important clues.

By paying close attention, documenting changes, and working with the healthcare team, families and caregivers can help reduce suffering, improve comfort, and protect the dignity of the person living with dementia.

Caregiver Reminder

If you notice sudden changes in behavior, mood, movement, appetite, sleep, or personal care tolerance, do not assume it is “just the dementia.” Pain, infection, injury, medication side effects, or another health concern may be involved.

When in doubt, document what you are seeing and contact the person’s healthcare provider.

Tune in to this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s as Lisa helps families and caregivers better understand dementia and pain, recognize the signs of discomfort, and respond with compassion, patience, and informed care.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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 of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner welcomes Dr. Christopher J. Johnson, PhD, Clinical Professor of Sociology in Dementia Studies at Texas State University.

Dr. Johnson talks about his work in dementia care and shares insight into using “time travel” based memories as part of a person-centered approach. Through life stories, familiar moments, meaningful objects, photos, music, and personal history, caregivers can create opportunities for connection, comfort, and dignity.

This conversation reminds us that dementia care is not only about symptoms or behaviors. It is about seeing the person, honoring their life experiences, and finding meaningful ways to connect with who they are.

In This Episode

Lisa and Dr. Johnson discuss:

• Dr. Johnson’s work in dementia care
• How “time travel” based memories can support connection
• Why personal history matters in dementia care
• The importance of dignity, identity, and emotional connection
• How caregivers can use familiar memories to better support the person living with dementia

Key Takeaway

When we take time to learn and honor a person’s life story, dementia care becomes more compassionate, personal, and connected.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.com/

About the Guest:

Christopher J. Johnson, PhD is a Clinical Professor of Sociology in Dementia Studies at Texas State University. His work focuses on dementia care, aging, and approaches that support individuals living with dementia through dignity, connection, and person-centered care.

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 Part 2, Lisa continues the conversation about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia diagnosis, and why the brain may be more complex than we once believed.

This episode looks at amyloid plaques, tau tangles, inflammation, vascular health, and other factors that may all play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Lisa also explores an important question: Are plaques and tangles always the problem, or could they sometimes be part of the brain’s attempt to protect itself?

Lisa also touches on Lewy body dementia and why it is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or even psychiatric illness. She explains why symptoms like fluctuating thinking, visual hallucinations, acting out dreams, movement changes, and blood pressure or bladder issues are important clues families should not ignore.

In This Episode, Lisa Talks About:

• Why Alzheimer’s may not have one single cause
• The role of amyloid plaques and tau tangles
• Why tau may be more closely linked to symptoms
• How inflammation and vascular health may affect the brain
• The idea that plaques and tangles may sometimes be a protective response
• Why early detection and personalized care matter
• How Lewy body dementia differs from Alzheimer’s disease
• Important symptoms families should watch for

Key Takeaway

Dementia is not always simple or easy to define. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias may involve several changes happening in the brain and body at the same time. The future of diagnosis and treatment may depend on looking at the whole person, not just one protein, one symptom, or one label.

Closing Thought

Part 2 reminds us that dementia care must continue to evolve. The more we understand about the brain, the more important it becomes to ask better questions, look for patterns, and support each person with care that is thoughtful, informed, and individualized.

Visit our Website - https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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.

Lisa begins a thought-provoking two-part conversation inspired by the well-known Nun Study of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. This landmark research followed 678 Catholic nuns from the School Sisters of Notre Dame and offered rare insight into aging, memory, brain health, and Alzheimer’s disease.

In Part 1, Lisa explores why the findings of the Nun Study were so surprising then and remain important today. The study revealed that some individuals showed significant Alzheimer’s-related brain changes, such as plaques and tangles, yet did not display obvious dementia symptoms during life. This raises an important question: Are we looking at dementia and Alzheimer’s disease too narrowly?

Lisa discusses how early-life education, language ability, writing complexity, positive emotional expression, physical activity, vascular health, and cognitive reserve may all play a role in how dementia symptoms appear, or sometimes do not appear, even when disease-related changes are present in the brain.

This episode helps listeners better understand that Alzheimer’s and dementia are not always as straightforward as a diagnosis, a brain scan, or one single explanation. The brain is complex, and so are the factors that influence memory, thinking, and aging.

In This Episode, Lisa Talks About:

• The background and purpose of the Nun Study
• Why the study was unique because of the participants’ similar lifestyles
• The role of plaques and tangles in Alzheimer’s disease
• Why some people with Alzheimer’s-type brain changes did not show dementia symptoms
• How education and lifelong learning may contribute to cognitive reserve
• The connection between early writing ability and later-life cognitive health
• The importance of positivity, emotional expression, and longevity
• The role of vascular health and “silent” strokes in dementia risk
• Why lifestyle, physical activity, social connection, and mental engagement matter
• How current research is expanding the way we understand Alzheimer’s disease

Key Takeaway

The Nun Study challenged the idea that brain changes alone determine whether someone will experience dementia symptoms. While amyloid plaques and tau tangles are important markers of Alzheimer’s disease, they do not tell the whole story. Cognitive reserve, vascular health, lifelong learning, social engagement, emotional well-being, and overall lifestyle may all influence how the disease shows up in a person’s life.

Why This Matters for Caregivers and Families

For families caring for someone living with dementia, this episode offers a deeper and more compassionate understanding of the disease. It reminds us that dementia is not simply one thing, caused by one factor, or experienced the same way by every person.

Understanding this can help caregivers move away from fear and confusion and toward a more informed, person-centered approach to care.

Resources Mentioned

• https://www.mindingdementiasummit.com/
• The Nun Study of Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Research on cognitive reserve
• Research on amyloid plaques and tau tangles
• Information on vascular health and dementia risk
• Studies exploring education, language, positivity, and aging

Closing Thought

Dementia research continues to evolve, and the Nun Study remains one of the most important reminders that the human brain is far more complex than we once believed. Part 1 opens the door to a deeper conversation about diagnosis, prevention, and what it really means to understand 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.

Sleep disturbances are one of the most exhausting and emotionally challenging aspects of dementia care. In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner takes a compassionate and practical look at why sleep becomes disrupted in dementia and what caregivers can do to create safer, calmer nights for everyone involved.

Lisa explores the many ways dementia affects the brain’s natural sleep-wake cycle and explains how different types of dementia can present unique nighttime challenges. From sundowning and nighttime wandering to vivid dreams, daytime sleepiness, and fragmented sleep, this conversation helps caregivers better understand what may be happening beneath the surface.

Throughout the episode, Lisa shares realistic caregiver strategies designed to reduce stress and improve quality of life, including:

• Creating structured daily routines
• Increasing daytime light exposure and activity
• Managing naps and evening stimulation
• Improving bedroom comfort and safety
• Responding calmly to nighttime confusion or agitation
• Monitoring for wandering and fall risks
• Understanding when professional support may be needed

Lisa also discusses the importance of balancing safety with dignity and independence while supporting a loved one living with dementia.

As part of the conversation, Lisa highlights helpful monitoring and safety tools, including the Skil-Care SignalSafe Fall Monitor, a fall management device designed to alert caregivers when a person attempts to leave a bed, chair, or monitored area. The monitor includes features such as sensor pad compatibility, magnetic pull cords, nurse call integration, and customizable alert settings designed to help reduce alarm fatigue while improving nighttime safety.

This episode is filled with compassionate guidance, practical caregiving tools, and valuable insights for families navigating the difficult realities of sleep disruption in dementia care.

Resources Mentioned

• Skil-Care SignalSafe Fall Monitor
• Available on Amazon and through the Skil-Care website.
• Skil-Care
• Minding 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 powerful and heartfelt episode, Lisa welcomes Andrew Karesa for a meaningful conversation about his personal journey into the world of dementia care.

Andrew shares how his grandmother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis deeply impacted his family and ultimately shaped the path he is on today. What began as a personal experience quickly turned into a greater purpose—one that led him to create blueBell Village, a solution designed to restore personhood and independence for those living with dementia.

Throughout the episode, Andrew speaks to the importance of seeing the individual beyond the diagnosis and creating care environments that honor dignity, identity, and personal choice. He also offers insight into how his background, culture, and research in Indigenous entrepreneurship are influencing innovative approaches to care in the health sector.

This conversation is both inspiring and thought-provoking, offering a fresh perspective on what dementia care can and should look like—for individuals, families, and caregivers alike.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Andrew’s personal story and what inspired his mission
• The impact of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers
• The vision behind blueBell Village
• Why person-centered care is essential in dementia support
• How culture and community can shape better care solutions
• A hopeful look at the future of dementia care

Why This Episode Matters:

This episode is a reminder that behind every diagnosis is a person with a story, a history, and a life that deserves to be honored. Andrew’s work challenges us to rethink care and move toward more compassionate, individualized approaches.

Get in contact with Andrew Karesa:

Bluebell Village website: Bluebell Village

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebell_village/

Bluebell Connect website: https://bluebellvillage.ca/what-is-connect/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Bluebellvillage

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluebellvillage/

Learn more about dementia education and caregiver resources at: Minding 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.