The Light Switch Analogy

In this enlightening episode, we explore one of the most powerful and relatable ways to understand what happens in the brain of a person living with dementia — The Light Switch Analogy.

Lisa explains how the brain’s “short-term memory switch” begins to flicker as Alzheimer’s or related dementias progress, causing confusion, disorientation, and unpredictable behaviors. Through this vivid analogy, she helps care partners and families visualize how and why memory loss affects perception, judgment, and emotions.

Listeners will learn:

• How dementia impacts the ability to process information and make sense of surroundings.
• Why people living with dementia may seem to “live in the past.”
• What happens when the “short-term memory switch” turns off — and how to respond compassionately.
• The importance of joining their reality rather than forcing them back into ours.
• How reminiscence therapy and a person-centered approach can reduce fear and confusion.
• Practical ways to identify triggers and manage unexpected behaviors calmly and effectively.

Lisa also shares how understanding the mechanics of memory loss empowers care partners to approach daily challenges with patience, empathy, and awareness — turning confusion into connection and frustration into understanding.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to see dementia through a clearer lens and learn how to create harmony and dignity in 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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