Hold the Moment

A dementia diagnosis has a ripple effect across families. So where can you turn for information and support?  This bonus episode is packed with tips for families who want to know more about how to support themselves and a family member living with dementia.  Whether you live close to your loved one or further afield, Dementia Australia has many helpful resources and programs specially tailored to family members of any age, including children.  If you’d like personalised support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat or send an email with whatever is on your mind.  For more information, explore our support resources for family, friends, and carers or learn more about staying connected with loved ones.  You can also listen to this episode of Hold the Moment to hear candid stories from families who have been impacted by a dementia diagnosis.   +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.   Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram and find support resources online.  This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. It was produced by Luci McAfee. Executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan.  The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.   Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

When Millie Rogers first discovered her dad, Jim Rogers (co-host of Hold the Moment), had received a diagnosis of younger onset dementia, she felt like a rug had been pulled from beneath her feet.   “I just froze. I just couldn’t believe what he was saying.”  In this candid episode, Millie and her sister Daisy open up to journalist Hamish Macdonald about the initial shock of the diagnosis, Jim’s role as a grandfather to their young children, and how it can be hard to be vulnerable when everyone wants to put on a brave face.  Then, Jim Rogers interviews Hamish Macdonald about his experience with his own father’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Hamish explains why giving his father dignity is crucial and why you need to advocate for your family member.  “People living with dementia need love and they need support, but they need advocates as well…You know, just actually getting your head around the really fine detail of what someone’s needs are and being able to advocate on their behalf.”  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.    For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.    For more information, explore our support resources for family, friends, and carers or learn more about staying connected with loved ones.  Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was produced by Madeleine Hawcroft, with sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Thank you to Millie, Daisy and Maggie for being part of the episode.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

If you’re looking for new ways to get around town or travel further afield with a dementia diagnosis, this episode is full of tips and resources on how you can do just that.   If you’d like tailored support on travelling with dementia, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat or send an email with whatever is on your mind. You can also find some information here.  In this episode you'll hear about a Dementia Australia webinar on driving and dementia – you can watch it here.    If you want to learn more on getting around with dementia, listen to this episode of Hold the Moment. +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.   Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram and find support resources online.  This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. This episode was produced by Luci McAfee. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan.   The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.   Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Jim Rogers was once ‘captain organised’ when planning overseas trips with his husband Tyler. But after his diagnosis of younger onset dementia, he’s learnt to get Tyler to assist with online check-in, packing and itinerary planning.   And it’s not just setting off overseas that’s changed. Getting around town has become trickier now that Jim’s lost his driver’s licence.   Like Jim, Juanita wishes she could zip over to the shops to do her weekly groceries. But since being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, a trip like this needs a bit more planning.  After losing her driver’s licence, Juanita has relied on public transport and taxis to get around town – but she’s figured out some handy ways to maintain her independence.   Discover the tips and tricks you need to get out and about.  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.    For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.    Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  In this episode Juanita discusses how the sunflower lanyard for hidden disabilities has helped her travel independently. You can also watch this Dementia Australia webinar about driving and dementia.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Getting a restful night’s sleep when you’re living with dementia can be an elusive task. This episode contains tips on managing your changing sleep patterns. If you’d like tailored support to tackle sleep issues, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat or send an email. Dementia Australia has plenty of resources relating to sleep on its website here. And for more discussion about sleep and dementia, listen to this episode of Hold the Moment. +++ Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios. Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram and find support resources online. This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. It was produced by Luci McAfee. Executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Ann, a former nurse, struggles to sleep because of the symptoms of her Lewy body dementia. Most nights, Ann experiences intense, multi-sensory hallucinations.   Meanwhile, Jim Rogers takes us through some of the long nights he’s experienced since his diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.   Sleep is vital to both mental and physical health, and it’s disrupted for many people living with dementia. Associate Professor Stephanie Rainey-Smith, a neuroscientist from Murdoch University, explains disturbances in sleep, what causes hallucinations for people living with dementia and has some tips for improving your sleep.  Dementia Australia has plenty of resources relating to sleep on its website here.  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.    For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.    Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Your close relationships enter new territory once you’ve been diagnosed with dementia. Roles change, people might pull away but, for the most part, your loved ones just want to know how to be there for you. This episode helps you navigate these changes. If you’d like tailored support you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat or send an email with whatever is on your mind. The Dementia Australia website has resources about maintaining relationships for people with dementia and for carers, family and friends. There is also information about navigating intimacy here. If you want to hear more stories about caring, dating and making friends with dementia, listen to this episode of Hold the Moment. +++ Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios. Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram and find support resources online. This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. It was produced by Luci McAfee. Executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.    Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Whether you’ve always been a marathon runner or just love getting out in your garden, staying active is an important way to manage symptoms of dementia.  Here’s your quick guide on building physical activity into your routine in a way that suits your lifestyle.  If you’d like support to stay active with dementia, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat, or send an email with whatever is on your mind.  If you want to learn more on exercising with dementia, listen to this episode of Hold the Moment.  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.  Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram and find support resources online.  This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. Producer is Luci McAfee, executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan.  The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

If you take a long walk around Bealiba in regional Victoria, you might spot the occasional water bottle, perched under a tree. Those would be Heather’s.   Heather’s always been a keen athlete and, even now at 80 years old, she loves long-distance running. That hasn’t changed since she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, but she’s had to adapt her training to make sure she stays safe and on the right track. The water bottles, strategically placed every four kilometres along her usual running route, don’t just keep her hydrated – they mark her trail.   Fitness has always been important to Heather. But Hold the Moment co-host Jim Rogers can’t say the same: “I’ve never been a gym junkie.” But because of his dementia, Jim’s learning to think of exercise as medicine.  You’ll also meet exercise physiologist Nick who has tips on physical exercise that can support your quality of life.  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.    For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.    Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of writing or updating a will? Want to better understand things like power of attorney and enduring guardianship? Help is at hand! This episode breaks it down so you can start planning with confidence.  Dementia Australia also has a webinar on ‘Future Planning’ you can watch online and other resources to help get your affairs in order.  If you’d like tailored support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat or send an email.  You can also listen to this longer episode of Hold the Moment to hear more stories of people planning their lives after diagnosis. Hearing how they’ve tackled their affairs might just help you get started!  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.  Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram and find support resources online.  This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. It was produced by Luci McAfee. Executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan.  The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

“I was diagnosed early, so I got what I call my ‘active dying plan’ out of the way. And now I’m on my ‘active living plan’ and my adventure with dementia.”  Pam was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia in her late 50s. Although the diagnosis at such a young age was a shock, Pam wasted no time making arrangements for her own funeral so that when the time comes, her family can celebrate her life the way she prefers.  For Hold the Moment co-host Jim Rogers, the process of getting his paperwork in order started with a long, reflective walk around the Glebe foreshore in Sydney with his husband Tyler. But once the big picture was planned, how did Jim start the necessary legal processes to make sure that big picture would come to life?   Professor Nola Ries can help. She’s a co-founder of the Dementia Law Network. She explains the common (and sometimes confusing) terms you’re likely to hear as you start getting your affairs in order.  Dementia Australia also has a webinar on Future Planning you can watch online, plus other resources to help get your affairs organised.  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.    For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.    Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

A dementia diagnosis can be a shock and it also can be a relief.  If you’re looking for support, resources and guidance on what to do after you or someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, this bonus episode is your simple how-to guide.  If you’d like personalised support on what to do once you’ve been diagnosed, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. You can call 24 hours a day or request a callback, start a webchat or send an email with whatever is on your mind.  There are many helpful Dementia Australia resources and programs to support you and your loved ones following a dementia diagnosis. We can also connect you with peers who have been through what you’re going through right now.  Find resources online or register for Dementia Australia’s peer support program.  You can find out more about Dementia Australia’s BrainTrack app here.   You can also listen to this episode of Hold the Moment to hear more stories of real people navigating life after diagnosis.  +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.  Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was hosted by Jim Rogers and Kristin, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor. It was produced by Luci McAfee. Executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan.  The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

Jim Rogers didn’t see it coming. “It was almost like an out-of-body experience,” he says. “It was as though time stood still.”   Only a few months earlier, life for Jim was as it had always been. He and his husband Tyler were both busy, focused on their careers and very social. But Jim’s colleagues noticed he would occasionally forget important details at work. Little did he know this seemingly innocuous symptom would lead to a dementia diagnosis.  In the first episode of Hold the Moment, Jim shares the story of his own diagnosis with his co-host, broadcaster and journalist Hamish Macdonald. He then meets, Catherine, a kindergarten teacher from Sydney who shares the frightening accident that led to her own diagnosis and what gives her hope in the dark moments.   In Hold the Moment, Jim and Hamish talk to people living with dementia about their diagnosis experience, their new lifestyles and, most importantly, the changes, habits and mindsets that have helped them find positivity and peace in the moment.   +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald.   For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.   Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.  This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.  Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.  Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

"You could’ve knocked me off my chair. It was like time stood still." Jim Rogers was blindsided by his diagnosis of younger onset Alzheimer’s disease in his 50s. He didn’t see a dementia diagnosis coming, and yet it changed almost everything. The way you sleep, exercise, travel around, and even how you interact with your loved ones will change after a diagnosis. So how do you even start to process all these changes? On Hold the Moment, you’re not alone. Join Jim and his co-host, journalist and broadcaster Hamish Macdonald whose father has dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s, as they learn how people with dementia are managing their changing circumstances. We’ll also bring in a few experts along the way for advice on the especially tricky stuff, like getting your legal affairs in order. Follow Hold the Moment wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. And share it with anyone you know who has a dementia diagnosis or who knows someone who does.   +++  Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios and hosted by Jim Rogers and Hamish Macdonald. For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website. This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.