In this episode of the Truth, Lies & Alzheimer’s podcast, we explore neuroplasticity—the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize, adapt, and form new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity isn’t just something that happens in childhood. It continues across the lifespan and plays a powerful role in learning, recovery, habit change, and even how we adapt to cognitive challenges like Alzheimer’s and dementia. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What neuroplasticity is and how it worksWhy learning, experience, and environment shape the brainHow neuroplasticity supports memory, skill-building, and recovery after injuryThe difference between structural and functional brain changesWhy “use it or lose it” really mattersHow adults and older adults can still create meaningful brain change Real-Life Examples Discussed: How musical training reshapes the brainWhy learning a new skill (like juggling or a language) changes neural pathwaysThe impact of meditation and mindfulness on attention and focusHow consistent habits influence long-term brain health Practical Takeaways: Small, repeated actions can lead to lasting brain changeSleep plays a critical role in consolidating learningPhysical activity supports brain growth and circulationMental challenge and novelty keep the brain engagedStress management is essential for healthy plasticity A Simple 3-Step Way to Apply Neuroplasticity: Identify the skill or behavior you want to changePractice deliberately and consistentlyReinforce learning with rest, repetition, and time Key Message: The brain is not fixed. It is dynamic, adaptable, and always responding to how we live, think, and engage with the world. With intention and consistency, neuroplasticity can be harnessed at any age. 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. Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app. Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.
