Falls are one of the most common—and preventable—risks for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses. In this episode, Lisa dives into the critical topic of fall prevention and how caregivers can create safer, more supportive environments for their loved ones.

Drawing insights from the Fall Prevention Foundation, Lisa explores why people with dementia are more prone to falls, what environmental changes can make the biggest impact, and how physical health, medication management, and cognitive support all play vital roles in maintaining safety and independence.

Listeners will gain practical, real-world strategies to reduce fall risk—covering everything from home setup and lighting to daily routines, balance exercises, and communication techniques that keep those living with dementia calm and confident.

Key Takeaways:

• Why dementia increases fall risk and what caregivers can do about it
• Simple home modifications that dramatically reduce hazards
• How exercise, balance, and physical therapy support mobility and confidence
• The importance of reviewing medications regularly
• Cognitive and behavioral strategies to guide safe movement
• How to design a personalized fall-prevention plan that evolves with disease progression

Quote from Lisa: “Fall prevention isn’t just about safety—it’s about preserving dignity and independence for the person living with dementia.”

Resource Mentioned: This episode was inspired by the article “Fall Prevention Strategies for Dementia Patients: A Comprehensive Approach to Safety and Support” published by the Fall Prevention Foundation

Listen now to learn how to make the home—and the caregiving journey—safer, calmer, and more compassionate

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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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, Lisa explores one of the most challenging and misunderstood symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease — aphasia, the loss of language and communication abilities that often accompanies dementia.

Through a touching real-life story from her book Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces, Lisa introduces us to Harvey in “The Pill Box Story.” Harvey’s daughter believed her father could no longer understand or care for himself. But when Lisa visits, she discovers that while Harvey struggles to find the right words, his mind and awareness are far more intact than anyone realized.

This powerful story illustrates how aphasia affects speech, understanding, reading, and writing, and how these challenges can easily be mistaken for cognitive decline. Lisa explains why communication difficulties don’t always mean loss of comprehension — and how loved ones can learn to see the difference.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• What aphasia really is and how it progresses in dementia
• How families often misinterpret communication loss as a total cognitive decline
• Ways to support and engage loved ones living with aphasia
• Practical communication tips for caregivers to reduce frustration and improve connection

Key Takeaway:

Even when words are lost, understanding and emotion remain. People living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias often know far more than they can express — and with patience, empathy, and awareness, we can still connect deeply.

Resources Mentioned:

Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces by Lisa Skinner

Listen to more episodes at truthliesalzheimers.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, host Lisa Skinner shares a powerful and personal story from her book Truth, Lies, and Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces, titled “The Birds in the Mattress.” Through this real-life account, Lisa explores the frightening and often misunderstood world of paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions experienced by those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Listeners will learn:

• Why individuals living with dementia may struggle to distinguish fact from fiction.
• The difference between hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia—and how they can manifest.
• How impaired reasoning affects perception and understanding of reality.
• Practical approaches for responding with empathy, patience, and redirection when these behaviors occur.

Lisa also reflects on her own family’s experience—how her beloved grandmother’s changing behavior led to misunderstanding from others, including professionals who lacked awareness about dementia. This episode offers both education and compassion, reminding listeners that what may appear “irrational” often stems from a brain that can no longer process the world as it once did.

By sharing these deeply human experiences, Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s continues its mission to replace judgment with understanding, and fear with informed 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 this enlightening episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, host Lisa Skinner welcomes Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller, an insightful author, speaker, and clinician, for a heartfelt discussion on the true meaning of empathy and how it differs from sympathy.

Together, they explore how understanding this difference can profoundly impact the way we support those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia — as well as their care partners, families, and communities.

Dr. Robinson-Winemiller also shares highlights from her new book, offering practical tools and real-world examples that help people connect more deeply and communicate more compassionately.

Listeners will learn:

• The key distinctions between empathy and sympathy — and why they matter in dementia care.
• How empathy builds connection, while sympathy can sometimes create distance.
• Simple ways to practice empathy in everyday interactions with those living with dementia.
• The inspiration behind Dr. Robinson-Winemiller’s new book and how her work empowers both professionals and care partners alike.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that small shifts in understanding can make a world of difference in the lives of others.

Mentioned Resources:

• Book by Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller – The Empathic Leader:
• Connect with Dr. Robinson-Winemiller: EQ via Empathy: Transformative Leadership Training  https://eqviaempathy.com/

About the Guest:

Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller isn’t just talking about leadership: she’s challenging us to do it differently. With over 20 years of cross-industry experience, she helps leaders build emotionally intelligent cultures that don’t just feel better, they perform better. A TEDx speaker, EQ coach, and author of The Empathic Leader, Melissa blends research, real-world insight, and lived experience to make empathy actionable at every level of leadership. She’s on a mission to prove that the so-called “soft” skills are the ones driving the hard results — and the future of leadership depends on them.

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 enlightening episode, we explore one of the most powerful and relatable ways to understand what happens in the brain of a person living with dementia — The Light Switch Analogy.

Lisa explains how the brain’s “short-term memory switch” begins to flicker as Alzheimer’s or related dementias progress, causing confusion, disorientation, and unpredictable behaviors. Through this vivid analogy, she helps care partners and families visualize how and why memory loss affects perception, judgment, and emotions.

Listeners will learn:

• How dementia impacts the ability to process information and make sense of surroundings.
• Why people living with dementia may seem to “live in the past.”
• What happens when the “short-term memory switch” turns off — and how to respond compassionately.
• The importance of joining their reality rather than forcing them back into ours.
• How reminiscence therapy and a person-centered approach can reduce fear and confusion.
• Practical ways to identify triggers and manage unexpected behaviors calmly and effectively.

Lisa also shares how understanding the mechanics of memory loss empowers care partners to approach daily challenges with patience, empathy, and awareness — turning confusion into connection and frustration into understanding.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to see dementia through a clearer lens and learn how to create harmony and dignity in 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.

Sundowning is a pattern of late-day confusion and changed behavior that can intensify anxiety, pacing, wandering, and agitation for a person living with dementia. In this episode, we unpack what sundowning looks like, why it happens, and practical ways care partners can reduce stress and keep evenings calmer. We also share “The Sundowning Story” of Jack, whose late-day distress eased after the right support and environment were in place.

What You’ll Learn:

• What sundowning is and how it differs from general restlessness
• Common signs: disorientation, suspiciousness, exit-seeking/elopement, and abrupt mood shifts
• Frequent triggers: fatigue, pain, overstimulating environments, complex instructions, being rushed, perceived threats, and more
• Why intent matters: behaviors are signals of unmet needs, not “being difficult”
• Practical de-escalation strategies for smoother late afternoons and evenings

Key Takeaways & Tips:

• Lower stimulation after lunch: dim bright lights, reduce background noise and clutter.
• Keep routines predictable: consistent meal times, toileting, and a calming “wind-down” block (music, hand massage, familiar TV show).
• Offer simple choices: one-step requests; avoid rapid-fire questions.
• Validate and redirect: acknowledge feelings first, then gently guide (“Let’s sit together and look at your photo album while we wait.”).
• Address comfort basics: check for hunger, thirst, pain, temperature, and footwear.
• Plan safe movement: short walks or light tasks before dusk to channel restlessness.
• Prepare for elopement risk: door chimes, ID bracelets, current photos, and a neighbors-aware plan.

Story Spotlight: Jack’s 5 p.m. Calls:

Jack called his son daily to “find the house.” With compassionate placement in a memory-care setting and meaningful evening purpose (sweeping the patio at 5 p.m.), his distress eased and dignity returned. The right support can transform late-day turmoil into calmer connection.

Resources Mentioned:

• Evening routine checklist (create your own from today’s tips)
• Local memory-care consultation (to explore environments that match current needs)

Call To Action:

If evenings are tough, pick two tips above and try them this week. Share what worked (and what didn’t) so we can problem-solve together on a future episode.

Disclaimer - This episode is informational and not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

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 important episode, host Lisa Skinner explores a deeply concerning issue that affects millions of older adults worldwide — elder abuse. With compassion and clarity, Lisa explains the many forms this abuse can take, how to recognize the warning signs, and what steps can be taken to prevent or report it.

Every person, regardless of age, deserves to live free from harm, neglect, and exploitation. Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in ten people over age 60 experience some form of abuse each year. This episode sheds light on the silent suffering many elders face — and provides listeners with the tools to recognize, respond, and advocate for those who may be at risk.

Listeners will learn:

• The different forms of elder abuse — physical, emotional, financial, sexual, neglect, and self-neglect.
• Who is most at risk, including individuals living with dementia, those dependent on caregivers, and socially isolated adults.
• The warning signs that may indicate abuse is occurring.
• Barriers to reporting and why so many cases go unreported.
• Practical steps to take if you suspect elder abuse — from ensuring immediate safety to reporting and seeking support.
• Prevention strategies to protect loved ones, including caregiver support, open communication, financial safeguards, and community connection.

Lisa also debunks common myths surrounding elder abuse and discusses the legal and ethical considerations for mandated reporters and caregivers. This episode serves as both an educational guide and a compassionate call to action — reminding listeners that vigilance, empathy, and awareness can make all the difference in keeping our elders safe.

Resources Mentioned:

• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): https://ncea.acl.gov
• Adult Protective Services (APS) Directory by State: https://ncea.acl.gov/Resources/State.aspx
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ — for confidential support
• Truth, Lies, and Alzheimer’s Book by Lisa Skinner: https://www.truthliesalzheimers.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.

Have you ever been caring for someone living with dementia when, out of nowhere, their entire mood shifts? One moment everything seems fine, and the next they refuse to finish a shower, become anxious, angry, or even combative — leaving you wondering, What just happened?

In this episode, Lisa Skinner explores the top 10 triggers that can cause sudden behavioral changes in dementia. She explains why these changes occur, and more importantly, how caregivers and families can respond in ways that de-escalate the situation and create positive outcomes.

Listeners will learn:

• The most common triggers, including overstimulation, fatigue, hunger, pain, communication gaps, changes in routine, and more.
• Tips for de-escalation and response strategies that bring calm to difficult moments.
• Practical approaches for creating safe environments, using patient communication, establishing predictable routines, and applying soothing techniques.
• Safety considerations to protect both the person with dementia and the caregiver.

If you’ve ever felt frustrated or helpless during a sudden behavioral change, this episode will provide encouragement, tools, and strategies to help you navigate with confidence and compassion.

Mentioned Resources:

• Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s Podcast Archive
• Lisa’s book: Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s — Its Secret Faces (available on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Truth-Lies-Alzheimers-Audiobook/B0BHDZ61RY)

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.

Lisa shares more real-life case studies from her 30 years of experience working with people living with dementia that highlight common behavioral challenges that often accompany this condition on a day-to-day basis.  In this episode, Lisa describes a variety of different challenges and situations that are so common to dementia along with intervention strategies and positive outcomes that caregivers can use with their everyday struggles.  

You don’t want to miss this enlightening 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.

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In today’s fascinating episode, Lisa goes deep into discussing the many personal stories that are shared by her very special guest, Alicia Jones, about the trials and tribulations that Alicia’s clients have shared with her about their experiences coping with Alzheimer’s disease on many different levels.  Lisa maintains that what motivates her to continue her quest to raise awareness about dementia are the faces of families that she has walked beside for three decades…a grandparent who forgets their child’s name; a caregiver burning out from exhaustive and endless caregiving hours, and families planning for their future when their present feels completely overwhelming! Lisa and Alicia understand the importance of helping to prepare families, caregivers, and the community if Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia touches their lives, so they don’t feel alone, and can be more proactive in their approach to someone living with dementia vs. struggling through it in a constant state of reaction.  Don’t miss this one!

Mentioned Resources:

Free Masterclass: The Three Phase Food and Fitness Formula Every Woman Over 50 Needs to Know : https://dnhocwn6afob5lmi.krtra.com/t/bJmIpi9AXMCp

Website: https://aliciajoneshealthyliving.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW3DusNaZS85xRRcMB_XF8w

About the Guest

Meet Alicia Jones. Since 2006, she has helped transform the health and lives of women over 50 through her fitness and weightloss strategies. Alicia is an expert who has been featured in major outlets including Shape Magazine, VeryWellFit, and Aaptiv. She has a B.A in Kinesiology and adds many certifications to her list of qualifications, including National Coach of Canada (NCCP), Advanced Sports Nutrition, Certified Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Training Specialist, as well as many others. If you’d like to learn more about her unique food and fitness formula, join her free masterclass.

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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