Hold the Moment

Hold on to connection: How partner, parent and family relationships can change

So much changes when someone you love is diagnosed with dementia and often the most difficult adjustment can be coming to terms with how it affects your relationship. 
You might still be parent-and-child, romantic partners, siblings, but you’ll also have to step into a new role entirely as a carer.  
For Col, this feels like ‘taking his turn’. His wife Shirley took on much of the caring work when they were raising kids together, and now Col and the kids are looking after her.  
For Sanna, who cared for her mother, the relationship shift was much more dramatic. After being diagnosed, Sanna’s mother didn’t recognise her at all and it looked, for a little while, like their connection might’ve disappeared altogether... 
Dementia changes things and it will change your relationship with the person you’re caring for – but you can take steps to ease the change for both of you.  
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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 Gia Moylan and Liam Riordan, with sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan 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. 

Helpline: Reconnecting with a loved one as their dementia progresses

It’s tough watching someone you love change, especially when it starts to shift the way you relate to each other. As a carer, your role evolves in ways you may not have expected, which can make things feel uncertain. This episode has tips and ideas to help you maintain your connection. 
If you’d like personalised advice on how to reconnect or just smooth any tensions as your relationship changes, 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.  
To hear how other carers have re-connected with their loved ones, you can also [listen to this episode of Hold the Moment] . 
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Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.  
Follow Dementia Australia on 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 Gia Moylan 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 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. 

Helpline: How to avoid carer burnout

Caring for others often means putting your own needs on the back burner but you can’t give your best if you're running on empty. Self-care is crucial to avoid burnout and stay healthy. 
This episode has tips to help you find time for yourself while in the chaos of caring. 
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. 
To hear how other carers are managing their self-care, you can listen to this episode of Hold The Moment]  
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Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.  
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 Gia Moylan 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 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. 
 

Carer fatigue: Looking after yourself while caring for others

Vicki’s pain wasn’t going away and she couldn’t figure out why.
She was healthy, ate well, exercised regularly...but the pain just wouldn’t let up, even keeping her from sleeping sometimes.
Finally, she realised it might be the culmination of years of stress. She’d cared for her husband, Michael, for over a decade and he’d only just transitioned into permanent residential care. 
For the first time, she felt relief – but her body was catching up after years of pushing through exhaustion.
Caring for someone living with dementia can be emotionally and mentally overwhelming but it can take a physical toll too. Find out how Vicki regained her health and how you can implement self-care while caring for someone else.  
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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 Gia Moylan and Liam Riordan, with sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan 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. 
 

Helpline: Finding a balance between work and caring

Managing paid work and caring for your loved one with dementia is a delicate juggling act, with many balls in the air at a time. While it’s tricky to keep from dropping any, it doesn’t always have to be an either/or decision between caregiving and your career.
This episode will give you practical strategies for approaching your employer and finding ways to balance both roles without losing yourself in the process.
If you’d like personalised advice on how to balance both worlds, 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.
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Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.
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 Gia Moylan 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 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.

Working it out: How to balance your job with caring responsibilities

If you’re caring for someone living with dementia, you know it can take just as much work as any formal job... but many carers need to continue paid work while caring. So how do you manage that juggle?
Wendy loves her work, especially the intellectual challenges it presents, so didn’t want to give up her career when she took on caring duties for her dad. Instead, she moved to part-time employment so she could have more flexibility and control over her and her dad’s schedules.
Find out how to balance work commitments and caring duties, whether that means a frank conversation with your managers or some clever timetabling around medical appointments.
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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 Gia Moylan and Liam Riordan, with sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan 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.
 

Helpline: Advocating for your loved one’s care needs

Caring for someone with dementia means you’re constantly learning—how to navigate healthcare, manage family dynamics and balance work with caregiving. You quickly become an expert in so many areas, often without realising it. 
But how do you share that wisdom with others? And what happens to all that knowledge once your loved one passes? 
Sharing your experiences with other carers can be incredibly valuable, not just for them but for you as well. It helps you to connect with others and can give you a renewed sense of purpose. 
If you’d like personalised advice on how to connect with other carers, 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 listen to this episode of Hold the Moment to hear more stories of how other carers are sharing their knowledge. 
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Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.  
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 Gia Moylan 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 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. 
 

From carer to mentor: The importance of sharing your knowledge

Caring for someone living with dementia requires you to learn so much so quickly. From navigating a complex healthcare system, to managing family dynamics, to balancing caring duties with paid work – you’ll have to become an expert in a lot of areas very fast.  
But what do you do with all that knowledge after the person you cared for passes away?  
Miriam’s mum lived with dementia and, in her community in the Northern Territory, the condition wasn’t well understood and rarely talked about. But Miriam’s first-hand experience as a carer, as well as a Family and Community Coordinator for Dementia Australia, made her the go-to person on the subject.  
Miriam shares her story and explains why she’s so passionate about passing wisdom on to her community and the next generation of carers. 
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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 Gia Moylan and Liam Riordan, with sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan 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. 
 

Helpline: Strategies to help carers with grief and loss

People often think of grief as sadness felt when a loved one passes away. But grief can surface at many stages of caring for someone living with dementia, often in ways that you don’t expect.  
There are ways to care for yourself, find comfort and reconnect with what brings you happiness. This episode offers simple, practical ways to process those emotions while still embracing joy, connection and the things that make you feel like you. 
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. 
Dementia Australia offers counselling support for caregivers and family members, find out more here.  
You can also listen to this episode of Hold the Moment to hear more about how other carers are working through their grief.   
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Hold the Moment is a podcast from Dementia Australia, produced by Deadset Studios.  
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 Gia Moylan 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 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. 
 

Hold on to joy: Managing grief as a carer

Jenny started grieving well before her husband passed away.  
After Noel was diagnosed with dementia, Jenny knew their life together would never be the same. But the grief she felt about that gave her strength and purpose too... 
Grief will be a major part of your journey if you’re caring for someone living with dementia. You might grieve the relationship you had before their diagnosis and you might be grieving after the person you cared for has passed away. It’s a natural part of the process and it’s painful, but there are strategies that can help you manage.  
Jenny shares what helped her through and Mara, a Dementia Australia counsellor, shares how she helps carers through tough times.  
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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 Gia Moylan and Liam Riordan, with sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan 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.