Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's

In today’s episode, Lisa discusses an article explaining what Neurocognitive Disorder means. Being that it’s a general term that describes decreased mental function due to a medical disease other than a psychiatric illness, Lisa attempts to unscramble the puzzle for you.  She breaks down the subcategories that Neurocognitive Disorders fall into, the various causes, the symptoms to watch...

We’re revisiting this episode because its insights remain as powerful and relevant today as when it first aired. This episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s features part two of host Lisa Skinner’s discussion of person-centered approaches to care. Lisa discusses reminiscence therapy, an innovative caregiving approach that involves discussing memories and past experiences with a person by utilizi...

We’re revisiting this episode because its insights remain as powerful and relevant today as when it first aired. In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's, host Lisa Skinner discusses the person-centered approach to Alzheimer's and dementia caregiving. The person-centered approach allows loved ones to retain dignity and autonomy by focusing care plans on the individual's needs rather than o...

In today’s episode, Lisa sheds light on how actor and singer, Kris Kristofferson, was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and treated for three years, when he was actually suffering from Lyme disease. She shares the details of the story behind it, including what symptoms he was displaying before, during, and after the Alzheimer’s diagnosis and what led to testing him for Lyme disease. According...

In today’s episode, Lisa talks with her special guest, Mr. Bill Walters, of Perfectly Imperfect Families. Before Bill became an advisor, he cared for his mother who suffered from dementia, caused by both Lewey Body Disease as well as Alzheimer’s Disease.  With no long-term care coverage in place, and being an only child, he had to do everything himself – keeping an eye out, cooking meals, cle...

In today’s episode, Lisa shares the Alzheimer’s Association’s recent announcement about the FDA approving the first simple blood test for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. This announcement marks a significant step in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Find out the details and what this finally means for earlier detection.  You definitely won’t want to miss this important episode! Additionally, Lis...

What you don’t know about living with sleep apnea could really be hurting you. It could even end your life! And, surprisingly, many people who have this common condition are not even aware of it. Today, Mr. Kirk Huntsman joins Lisa to discuss, in depth, what everyone needs to realize about sleep apnea and why it’s such a potentially dangerous condition to live with. Is it possible you could have i...

Take a trip down memory lane with us as we revisit our favorites episode. Enjoy! Have you ever heard the term confabulation in dementia? Lisa explains what confabulation is and how it differs from delusions and intentional lying in people living with dementia and other conditions. Don’t miss this very important episode! Some of the highlights include: What exactly is confabulation? Why it’s import...

There is no question that caring for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia can be extremely challenging. But what if I shared with you my 30+ years of dementia care training strategies and techniques that could make your caregiving experience a lot less stressful and much more harmonious? Wouldn’t that absolutely change your world for the better? Well, it is possible to...

There’s a new study that has recently been published suggesting that metabolic syndrome increases the risk of dementia diagnosis before age 65. In this episode, Lisa shares the details of the key findings of this study, including, how you might be able to reverse metabolic syndrome through healthy habit changes, based on what the study revealed, and how the revelations apply to real life.   Y...

In today’s episode, Lisa, along with her special guest, Mr. William C. Heckman, discusses how the profound and sustained stress experienced by caregivers of individuals with dementia can significantly impact their physical and mental health, often leading to a range of adverse health conditions. Some discussion centers around how the caregiving role is characterized by emotional strain, physical e...

Lisa explains why people who do not maintain good quality sleep will consequently be at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, based on the findings in a new study that she shares on today’s episode. Some of the topics covered include what happens in the brain during deep sleep and why it’s so important; how much sleep a person actually needs per night; what deep sleep really is and isn’...

In today’s episode, Lisa’s special guest is Ken D. Foster, author of the book, “The Courage to Change Everything” Ken is known for empowering audiences to tap into their courage to become more powerful, effective, and productive in order to change their lives for the better. This ideology aligns perfectly with caregivers and family members to offer strategies to help conquer and manage the overwhe...

In today’s episode, Lisa announces a life-changing treatment that has recently been approved by the FDA for treating Parkinson’s Disease. She shares an article published on April 5, 2025 in the San Francisco Chronicle that details this remarkable new device for managing the uncontrollable movements that accompany PD.  This is a game-changer for those who live with Parkinson’s! You don’t want...

In today’s episode, Lisa welcomes two special guests, Dr. Ethelle Lord and Mr. Bill Pemberton. Dr. Lord is the founder of the International Caregivers Association (ICA) and creator of a revolutionary and transformational approach to dementia care called the Transactional Dementia Intelligence Model (TDI). The discussion revolves around the realization that this transformation lies in a simple trut...

In today’s episode, Lisa welcomes her guest, Susan Otten, who shares her extraordinary story of resilience and courage after both her parents were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease only years apart from one another, and then, with her husband’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease at the young age of 51. Lisa and Susan discussed valuable insights along with hope, based on Susan’s experiences, to help...

In today’s episode, Lisa discusses approaches that family members and caregivers can take to help yield positive outcomes for those living with dementia by promoting engagement, comfort, and well-being.  Lisa offers a variety effective tips and proven strategies that can turn negative responses into positive and meaningful experiences for your loved ones. You don’t want to miss this valuable...

In today’s episode, Lisa discusses a topic that affects each and everyone of us, often without conscious awareness. Stress has been dubbed the “silent predator”, and can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds, leading to a host of health issues. Lisa sheds light on stress triggers, types of stress, the physiological and psychological impacts that stress has on us in our everyday lives, and much, much...

Take a trip down memory lane with us as we revisit our very first episode. Enjoy! Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – The Podcast is a collection of stories, caregiver tips, proven solutions for caregivers and insights on how to navigate the heartbreaking challenges of having a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Everyone has a story about Alzheimer’s. It’s time to start the conv...

The complexities of dementia extend beyond medical concerns, profoundly influencing family dynamics and relationships. In today’s episode, Lisa discusses how family dynamics interfere with relationships in families dealing with dementia, offering specific examples of many of the conflicts that may arise as well as strategies for navigating these inevitable challenges. You don’t want to miss this e...

Living with dementia! It’s not just about memory loss and confusion. It impacts nearly all of our cognitive functions, including language skills, notable changes in personality, mood, the ability to reason, the ability to use to use sound judgment in decision making, vision changes, a diminished sense of smell, trouble multitasking, and completing familiar tasks, depression,  and many, many m...

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 care...

Lisa shares an interview between Catherine Taylor, writer, and Professor Matthew Kiernan, a neurologist and expert in neurodegenerative diseases, discussing the ways in which dementia could conceivably become a controllable disease. They discuss the 14 known risk factors and other conditions you need to be aware of so you can potentially reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by follow...

How many times have we all asked that question over the years? Especially if it has touched us personally. In today’s episode, Lisa shares an eye-opening article written by Dr. Donald Weaver, Professor of Chemistry and Director of Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, who addresses that very question. Dr. Weaver is a neurologist and a researcher who studies...

Have you heard of Reminiscence Therapy? On today’s episode, Lisa discusses in detail what reminiscence therapy is, how it is used, and why it’s a game changer for creating a higher quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Because Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia pose significant challenges for everyone involved, understanding the benefits of reminisce...