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

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

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.

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