Hold the Moment: Australian podcast aiming to alleviate the loneliness of people living with dementia experience

“Being able to hear about others’ experiences in a positive way on a podcast like this would have been an amazing thing for me when I was diagnosed.”

These are the words of Jim Rogers, who lives with younger onset dementia, and is co-host of the Australian first podcast, Hold The Moment.

L_R: Jim Rogers, Director of Deadset Studios Kellie Riordan and Hamish Macdonald

This podcast was developed, with Dementia Australia, Deadset Studios and the Australian Government, by people living with dementia. Rogers is joined by journalist Hamish Macdonald, whose father has dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s.

Jim, Hamish, health experts and people living with dementia experience explore across seven episodes the experiences of being diagnosed, managing sleep disturbance and hallucinations, travelling, staying active and managing relationships. Stories are honest, raw, heartwarming and breaking.

“I felt very lonely after my dementia diagnosis. It’s pretty scary, scary territory,” Rogers said.

Macdonald added:

“As a journalist I’ve met many people living with dementia, but all of this hit close to home a few years ago when my dad was diagnosed with dementia. The stories shared by all the people living with dementia involved will help to break down barriers that discourage people seeking help and reduce the impact of social isolation. Receiving news of a diagnosis is huge and at every step of this project I’ve been in awe of all of the people living with dementia willing to share about their often intensely personal experiences to help others.”

Featured on the podcast are Heather Cooper, Catherine Daskalakis, Pam Eade, Juanita Hughes, Ann Pietsch, Anthony Pollock and Kevyn Morris; all of whom live with different forms of dementia, and Dom O’Leary, who cared for her father. They are joined by Professor Nola Ries, from the Faculty of Law at the University of Technology Sydney and co-founder of the Dementia Law Network, Associate Professor Stephanie Rainey-Smith, a neuroscientist from Murdoch University and Kristin who is an Advisor from the National Dementia Helpline.

The National Dementia Hotline is 1800 100 500, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If this story has prompted any questions or concerns you can also visit dementia.org.au

Hold the Moment was launched at the Sydney Opera House this week, by patron Ita Buttrose.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said:

“I want to thank each and every person who has contributed to the making of the podcast and acknowledge the support of the Australian Government. They all have been so generous in sharing their experiences and expertise in order to help others.

I’m also so delighted today to welcome Hamish Macdonald as an Ambassador for Dementia Australia. Hamish has been extraordinary in his support for Dementia Australia helping us to raise awareness about dementia and our organisation.”

You can listen to Hold the Moment wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes one and two are available now, with a further five episodes released weekly, in the lead-up to Dementia Action Week, which is from 16-22 September.

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