Podcast gives voice to dementia carers
Caring for people living with dementia can be an isolating experience, but recently released season two of the Hold The Moment podcast aims to make the experience less overwhelming.
Dementia Australia’s podcast Hold The Moment has released a second season this week, with a focus on the experience of carers who are looking after people living with dementia.
Produced by Deadset Studios, the podcast is co-hosted by Jim Rogers, who lives with younger onset dementia, and Hamish Macdonald, whose father lived with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease.
Dementia Australia chief executive officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said that providing candid insight into the lives of people of all ages living with dementia and those caring for them helps those impacted by the condition to not feel so alone.
(Dementia Australia)
“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.
Topics for season two will include grief, navigating the healthcare system, balancing work, self-care and changing relationships, with episodes released weekly.
Rachel Corbett is the first guest – a podcaster, television and radio presenter and Dementia Australia’s newest ambassador – who acted as a carer for both her parents.
“I did have a complex relationship with both my parents,” she 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.”
Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Jenny Fitzpatrick also spoke on the podcast about her experience caring for her husband in the hopes 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.”
Professor Buchanan said 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,” Professor Buchanan said.
“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.
“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.”
The podcast can be accessed on podcasts apps, the Dementia Australia website and Dementia Australia’s YouTube channel.
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