There are other worlds hidden inside our own. Parallel existences that are invisible to most of us until we are forced to enter one. The world of Alzheimer's disease and dementia is one such place. It is a landscape of shifting memories, of confused timelines, and a place where the familiar becomes unrecognizable and the people we love most can become strangers to us.

 

What shall we say about the world of Alzheimer's disease and dementia?

That it's a place of heartbreak and frustration that can prove to be ruthless and mercilessly cruel.

 

That it often feels like we, as family members and caregivers, are being held captive for years to come, with our hands tied behind our backs, being commanded to helplessly watch as our loved ones are slowly being stripped of their core being, and being thrust into a new existence that no longer makes any sense?

That we would give anything to beam back to the world we came from?

If Alzheimer's disease has touched your life, I wonder if this is how you feel, too?

Do you now find yourself dreaming of ensuring that your loved one feels respected and loved; of becoming a source of strength instead of feeling you are in a constant state of reaction? This dream is also achievable.

And, if you now find yourself dreaming of having the right tools that will soothe their confusion and agitation; of being able to help your loved ones stay happy and safe at home longer; of strengthening family unity during this difficult time; and of creating new, positive, memories to hold sacred, then please know that this dream is achievable, too.

Lisa Skinner measures her effectiveness by witnessing her tools, tips, and strategies prove to be successful. She also measures it through personally witnessing a more harmonious experience for everyone involved.

 

Her metrics are "hearing laughter, seeing smiles, people able to make the best out of a heartbreaking situation, and finally being able to focus on what really matters...spending quality time with each other instead of being in a continuous state of conflict and stress."

 

At the heart of Lisa's work is a fundamental reorientation of how we view dementia. Her methodology is a direct challenge to outdated, conventional practices that have proven to be ineffective. She has seen the standards of dementia care evolve dramatically over her 30 years in the field and has been at the forefront of that evolution. Her approach is about moving away from struggles and strife and toward a "much more effective communication strategy that clearly provides a higher quality of life that includes purpose, dignity and meaning for everyone involved."