Dementia Australia’s Australian-first podcast Hold the Moment – which been listened to more than 100,000 times in less than a year – has recently launched a second season focusing on the experience of carers of people with dementia.
Full of stories about life after a dementia diagnosis, Hold the Moment is co-hosted by Jim Rogers, who lives with younger onset dementia, and Dementia Australia Ambassador, journalist Hamish Macdonald, whose father lived with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s.
Season one, which launched in August last year, focused on the experience of people with a diagnosis of dementia while season two, just launched in Sydney, focuses on carers.
In the new season’s first episode podcaster, television and radio presenter Rachel Corbett – who was welcomed this week as Dementia Australia’s newest Ambassador – shared her experience of caring for both of her parents following their dementia diagnoses.
‘I did have a complex relationship with both my parents,’ Ms Corbett said.
‘But living through dementia connected us in a way that might not have ever happened if they were both well. Going through this with both of them, being there for them through that time, was genuinely one of the greatest privileges of my life.’
Often overwhelmed
Dementia Australia Advocate Jenny Fitzpatrick, who spoke on the podcast about caring for her husband Noel, said she hoped that sharing her story would help other carers feel less isolated and overwhelmed.
‘I was often overwhelmed as a carer,’ Ms Fitzpatrick said. ‘Listening to other people’s experiences helped me at the time – people’s stories are always the ones that teach and inspire. I think the podcast offers the opportunity to share stories on a deeper level – it’s more raw and real because it’s a more extensive conversation.’
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said she was delighted to welcome Ms Corbett as an Ambassador for the organisation and that sharing the stories and experiences of people like Ms Corbett, Ms Fitzpatrick and others was vital to ensuring people knew they were not alone.
‘With 433,300 Australians living with dementia and 1.7 million people involved in their care, the overwhelming popularity of the first season was a clear message that people impacted by dementia valued hearing about real life stories and that the podcast was a valuable support as it is jam-packed with resources, valuable tips and advice,’ said Professor Buchanan.
Stigma remains
‘Dementia impacts so many people, yet it is still so misunderstood and, unfortunately, comes with such stigma. It can be such an isolating experience, but it doesn’t have to be,’ she said.
‘I’m grateful to everyone who shared their experience so openly as it will help others to feel less isolated. Their stories are vulnerable, honest, heartwarming and, at times, heart-breaking.’
Professor Buchanan said that dementia was soon to be the leading cause of death of all Australians so providing such a candid insight into the lives of people of all ages living with dementia and those caring for them helped those impacted by the condition to not feel so alone.
‘People living with dementia and their families were involved in the development and production of the podcast, so you’re hearing real stories about issues that impact them,’ she said, noting that the podcast is just one of the ways Dementia Australia supports people impacted by dementia.
‘There is support and information available and people who truly understand. Dementia Australia is here, 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.’
Dementia Australia’s Hold the Moment podcast is available on podcasts apps, the Dementia Australia website and Dementia Australia’s YouTube channel.
This season’s episode topics include grief, navigating the healthcare system, balancing work, self-care and changing relationships.
