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June 17th, 2026

Are We Diagnosing Dementia All Wrong? Part 2

  1. Are We Diagnosing Dementia All Wrong? Part 2 Lisa Skinner 31:51

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 the brain’s attempt to protect itself?

Lisa also touches on Lewy body dementia and why it is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or even psychiatric illness. She explains why symptoms like fluctuating thinking, visual hallucinations, acting out dreams, movement changes, and blood pressure or bladder issues are important clues families should not ignore.

In This Episode, Lisa Talks About:

  • Why Alzheimer’s may not have one single cause
  • The role of amyloid plaques and tau tangles
  • Why tau may be more closely linked to symptoms
  • How inflammation and vascular health may affect the brain
  • The idea that plaques and tangles may sometimes be a protective response
  • Why early detection and personalized care matter
  • How Lewy body dementia differs from Alzheimer’s disease
  • Important symptoms families should watch for

Key Takeaway

Dementia is not always simple or easy to define. Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias may involve several changes happening in the brain and body at the same time. The future of diagnosis and treatment may depend on looking at the whole person, not just one protein, one symptom, or one label.

Closing Thought

Part 2 reminds us that dementia care must continue to evolve. The more we understand about the brain, the more important it becomes to ask better questions, look for patterns, and support each person with care that is thoughtful, informed, and individualized.

Visit our Website – https://www.mindingdementiasummit.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.

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Lisa Skinner Behavioral Specialist, Author, Speaker

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 a Certified Dementia Care Trainer through the Alzheimer’s Association. Along with being a Certified Dementia Program Director, Lisa holds a degree in Human Behavior.

Her latest book, “Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s – Its Secret Faces” continues Skinner’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 their struggle, so they can have a better-quality relationship with their loved ones through education and offering 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.