In this episode of the Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s, we talk about what families and caregivers need to know about end-of-life care in Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Dementia is a progressive, terminal illness, and understanding what to expect can help families make informed, compassionate decisions that prioritize comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

In This Episode:

1. Why early end-of-life conversations matter
2. How dementia progresses into late and terminal stages
3. Shifting care goals from treatment to comfort
4. Hospice vs. palliative care and when each may help
5. Managing pain, agitation, eating changes, and comfort needs
6. Supporting caregivers through emotional and physical challenges

Key Takeaway:

End-of-life care in dementia is about honoring values, reducing suffering, and ensuring no one walks this journey alone. With planning, support, and open communication, families can navigate this stage with greater clarity and peace.

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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