Truth, Lies & Alzheimer's

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa explores the challenges faced by the sandwich generation, adults who are caring for aging parents while also supporting children, managing careers, relationships, finances, and their own well-being.

When dementia becomes part of that caregiving picture, the responsibilities can become even more complicated and unpredictable. Lisa discusses the emotional, financial, and pra...

Many older adults want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, but aging in place requires more than simply choosing to stay home. It takes planning, reliable support, ongoing safety assessments, and a realistic understanding of changing care needs.

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner explains what aging in place really means and how families can evaluate whether home care, assisted liv...

Dehydration is common in people living with dementia and can quickly make confusion, agitation, weakness, and other symptoms appear worse. A person may forget to drink, no longer recognize thirst, have difficulty asking for fluids, or struggle with mobility or swallowing.

In this episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner explains why dehydration can be difficult to recognize and shares practical ways caregivers ca...

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 o...

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...

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 tri...

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, ...

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 sig...

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 persona...

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 th...

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 reveal...

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 explai...

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 solutio...

In this important and eye-opening episode of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, Lisa Skinner takes a deeper look at one of the most misunderstood aspects of dementia care: changes in perception and how they impact daily life.

Lisa explains how dementia can affect the brain’s ability to properly interpret information gathered through sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. What may appear to others as confusion, stubbornness...

In this episode, Lisa speaks with Neal Shah, founder of CareYaya, about a new approach to dementia care. Neal shares how his platform connects families with trained college students pursuing healthcare careers—providing affordable, compassionate support while helping prepare the next generation of caregivers.

They discuss the challenges families face, the importance of person-centered care, and how innovative models like CareY...

Communication can become one of the biggest challenges in dementia care—but small changes can make a meaningful difference.

In this episode, we explore practical strategies to improve connection and reduce frustration, including the powerful 90-second rule, which allows time for processing and response.

You’ll learn how to navigate common challenges like word-finding difficulties, repetition, confusion with instructions, ...

Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, especially when challenges arise without warning. In this episode, we share real-life caregiving scenarios along with simple, practical strategies to help you improve communication, increase safety, and feel more supported in your role.

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize early warning signs
• Improve communication and reduce frustration
• Create safer daily routines
• Take small steps to s...

When is it time to stop driving—and how do you have that conversation?

In this episode, we talk about the impact dementia has on driving, the warning signs to watch for, and how to approach this difficult transition with care and respect. Driving is deeply tied to independence, which makes this one of the most emotional conversations families face.

You’ll learn how to balance safety with dignity, involve your loved one in...

In this episode, Lisa explores the most current research on dementia prevention and what it means for you or your loved ones.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, studies suggest that up to 45% of dementia cases may be preventable by addressing key lifestyle and health factors.

Lisa breaks down the most important risk factors, why structure matters more than intention, and how small, consistent changes can support long-term ...