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191. The Truth About Alzheimer’s: Caregiving, Cognitive Decline, and Compassion with Lisa Skinner
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In this deeply educational and heartfelt episode of Warriors Unmasked, Chuck Thuss sits down with Lisa Skinner — a behavioral expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With decades of experience as a community counselor, senior care director, and author of Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s: Its Secret Faces, Lisa brings powerful insight to one of the most complex and misunderstood diseases of our time.
As someone who has helped thousands of families — and cared for eight of her own family members with dementia — Lisa offers compassionate, practical advice for both caregivers and loved ones alike. From busting myths about memory loss to breaking down the emotional toll of caregiving, she and Chuck dive into the signs, symptoms, and surprising challenges that arise when a loved one begins their journey with dementia.
✅ 6 Key Takeaways from This Episode:Dementia is not just memory loss. It affects communication, judgment, reasoning, and the ability to perform daily tasks — all of which caregivers must learn to adapt to.
Alzheimer’s and related dementias can manifest differently for everyone. There are over 200 types of brain diseases that cause dementia symptoms.
Caregiving is one of the most emotionally and mentally demanding roles. Lisa compares it to being a detective — constantly assessing and responding to changing needs.
Long-term memory remains intact longer than short-term memory. This insight can help families connect better with loved ones.
Caregiver mental health matters. Without support and self-care, caregiver burnout is inevitable and detrimental.
Understanding the symptoms early can help with diagnosis and planning. Lisa offers tangible signs to look for and ways to prepare with grace.
Whether you're a caregiver, healthcare provider, or simply someone seeking to better understand the mental and emotional layers of Alzheimer’s, this episode offers real tools, wisdom, and hope. Hit play now!
GUEST LINKS:
LINKS:
- www.thecompassionateconnection.com
- www.warriorsunmasked.com
- Join Chuck’s Text Community: 251-418-7966
Episode Minute By Minute:
- 00:00 – Introduction to Lisa Skinner and today’s topic: Alzheimer’s and dementia caregiving
- 02:00 – The myths surrounding Alzheimer’s and early signs to recognize
- 05:00 – Why caregiving is one of the hardest jobs in the world
- 07:00 – Beyond memory loss: understanding the full scope of dementia symptoms
- 09:00 – The difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia explained
- 11:00 – Real-life examples of how communication breaks down
- 13:00 – Tips for caregivers managing difficult behavior or confusion
- 15:00 – Lisa’s personal story caring for eight family members with brain disease
- 17:00 – Self-care for caregivers: why it’s not selfish — it’s necessary
- 20:00 – Long-term memory, short-term loss, and what you can expect
- 22:00 – How to offer compassionate support when words no longer work
- 25:00 – The importance of awareness, patience, and education for families
192 episodes
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