Hold the Moment

If you’re on North Wollongong Beach in New South Wales around sunrise, you’ll probably see David with his camera. After his daily morning swim, he likes to take photos of the sunrise – whenever he meets someone with young children, he offers to send them photos.
“This is the sunrise on the first day of your life,” he tells them to write under the pictures.
David was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2023 and instead of withdrawing, he asked himself: How can this become a new way to help people connect?
Amanda knows about isolation too. She’s been caring for her mum, who lives with Lewy body dementia, since she was just 17. For years, she hid it; embarrassed, exhausted, carrying the weight alone.  
But eventually, she reached out for help.
David and Amanda share how they’ve built and maintained connections after a diagnosis for their own sakes, but also so they can share what they’ve learned about dementia with their communities.  
  
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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. 
  
ABOUT THE GUESTS 
Dr David Williams AM, lives in Wollongong and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2023 after a varied career spanning industrial chemistry, recruitment and consulting, alongside decades of community leadership. He continues to foster connection through daily swims, sunrise photography and his long-standing men’s group, believing openness about diagnosis is how you make a difference.
Amanda is a digital and ICT leader who works across complex industries, alongside caring for her mother Petronella, who lives with Lewy body dementia. Through Dementia Australia, she found community, became an advocate, and now speaks openly about asking for help as an act of love, for others and yourself. 
  
NEED SUPPORT?  
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government. 
  
SERVICES & RESOURCES  
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-community-support
  
EPISODE CREDITS 
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman 
  
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA  
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
  
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.

Community can make all the difference when dementia enters a family. From practical help to emotional support, there are so many ways that people can stay connected.
In our Ask Us Anything episodes, you send us your questions about living with dementia and we’ll answer them as honestly as we can. Nothing is off limits here! 
We give advice on supporting people with dementia in public spaces, and ways to connect with other people in your community going through a similar experience.  
  
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE 
This ‘Ask Us Anything’ episode was hosted by Jim Rogers with advice from Rose, a Policy Advisor at Dementia Australia.  
  
NEED SUPPORT?  
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government. 
  
SERVICES & RESOURCES  
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-community-support
  
EPISODE CREDITS 
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman 
  
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA  
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
  
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.  

Deanne’s seen it all – with more than 25 years’ experience in banking under her belt, she has encountered customers who have been coerced out of their own money by friends, family members and even strangers. She says it’s even more common for people living with dementia.
But when Deanne’s own father was diagnosed with dementia, the issue of financial vulnerability took an even more personal dimension.
Robert Fitzgerald AM is the Age Discrimination Commissioner for the Australian Human Rights Commission. He says that for several reasons, financial abuse of older people, including people living with dementia, is only increasing. He lays out the common patterns that lead to abuse and offers advice on protecting yourself and your loved ones after a diagnosis.
 
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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. 
 
ABOUT THE GUESTS Deanne is a former carer and Dementia Advocate who her father through Lewy body dementia. With nearly 25 years in banking, she has seen the impact of delayed estate planning and is passionate about encouraging early, proactive decision-making following a dementia diagnosis. 
Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM is a respected lawyer and advocate with extensive experience across government and community sectors. He champions the rights of older people, and is working to reduce ageism, prevent abuse and strengthen protections through policy leadership and cross-sector collaboration. 
 
NEED SUPPORT?  
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government. 
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES  
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-staying-control 
 
EPISODE CREDITS
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman 
 
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA  
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
 
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. 

Managing money is tricky for anyone, and dementia can make it even harder. So what are the best ways to keep control and make informed choices around our finances?
In our Ask Us Anything episodes, you send us your questions about living with dementia and we’ll answer them as honestly as we can. Nothing is off limits here!
We discuss putting the right supports in place, and what to do if you’re worried someone might be taking advantage of a person living with dementia.
  
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE 
This ‘Ask Us Anything’ episode was hosted by Jim Rogers with advice from Rose, a Policy Advisor at Dementia Australia.
 
NEED SUPPORT?
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — funded by the Australian Government.
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-staying-control
  
EPISODE CREDITS
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman
  
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA  
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
  
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.

When Louise’s husband was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s disease, she knew the day would come. What she didn’t expect was how hard it would be to find a place that could actually take him.
For Susan, the challenge was different. Her Italian-born father rarely spoke about his wartime childhood. But in residential care, something as simple as a uniform could transport him back decades in an instant.
Moving into residential care is one of the toughest decisions for many people living with dementia and their families. When is the right time to move, how do you find an appropriate place, and how do you even start the conversation?
Co-hosts Jim and Hamish talk with Louise and Susan about the reality of transitioning into residential care, the hard parts, the unexpected ones, and the small, peaceful moments that made it worthwhile.
  
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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. 
  
ABOUT THE GUESTS 
Former carer Louise’s husband Craig was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s disease at 46. Navigating a system not designed for younger people, Louise founded the Think Again campaign and now raises awareness while sharing her experience supporting Craig through care.
Susan cared for her father Tony, a gentle and hardworking man who experienced moments of great distress as his dementia progressed. Drawing on her experience navigating residential care, she now advocates for greater awareness, understanding and more personalised support for people living with dementia.
 
NEED SUPPORT?  
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government.
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES  
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-residential-care
 
EPISODE CREDITS 
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman
 
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA  
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
  
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. 

Moving into residential care is never an easy decision, but it's about finding support, safety and dignity along the way.
In our Ask Us Anything episodes, you send us your questions about living with dementia and we’ll answer them as honestly as we can. Nothing is off limits here!
We discuss how to navigate daily routines when your loved one stops wanting to shower, and residential care for people with young onset dementia.
 
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE 
This ‘Ask Us Anything’ episode was hosted by Jim Rogers with advice from Jane, a Senior Family Engagement Counsellor at Dementia Australia.  
 
NEED SUPPORT?  
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government. 
  
SERVICES & RESOURCES  
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-residential-care
  
EPISODE CREDITS 
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman
  
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
  
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.

Caring for a parent with dementia in your teens,  20s or 30s brings challenges most people don’t see.
In our Ask Us Anything episodes, you send us your questions about living with dementia and we’ll answer them as honestly as we can. Nothing is off limits here!
We examine the pressures young carers face and share advice on managing the juggle.
 
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This ‘Ask Us Anything’ episode was hosted by Jim Rogers with advice from Jane, a Senior Family Counsellor at Dementia Australia.
 
NEED SUPPORT?
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government.
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-big-responsibilities
 
EPISODE CREDITS
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman
 
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
 
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. 

Tully was only 15 when her mother was diagnosed with young onset dementia. She figured nobody at school would understand.
John’s experience has, thankfully, been quite different. He’s 25 now, and cares for his grandmother who lives with dementia. Caring for her has been so rewarding for him that he’s now a professional support worker and studying to be a counsellor.
Caring for a loved one living with dementia always has its challenges, and a sense of isolation is a common one. But for younger carers, that isolation can be even more profound.
So few people in their teens or early twenties have done it, so it can feel like nobody around you understands the struggle.
 
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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.
 
ABOUT THE GUESTS
Tully Smyth is a writer, content creator and Dementia Australia Ambassador who was just 15 when her mother was diagnosed with young onset dementia, an experience she now shares as an advocate for other young carers.
John has been caring for loved ones since the age of five and is now a professional support worker studying to become a counsellor. John cares for his Mum as well as his Nonna, who lives with Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
 
NEED SUPPORT?
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government.
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-big-responsibilities
 
EPISODE CREDITS
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman
 
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
 
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 dementia alters how you express yourself, what you like, even how your senses work... what does it really mean to still be yourself after a diagnosis?
Gwenda’s been living with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia since 2012, and yes, a lot has changed. Her sense of smell is different now. She’s recently moved into a residential aged care community. She lives day-to-day with a progressive neurological condition.
But here’s the thing: Gwenda is also living some of the best years of her life.
A fierce dementia advocate, and a woman who refuses to be flattened by assumptions, Gwenda is adamant that a dementia diagnosis doesn’t define who you are, and that there’s no single way to “do” dementia.
“To assume that somebody living with dementia isn’t meeting the norms is about you not getting to know them,” Gwenda says. “It’s your problem, not theirs.”
Gwenda sits down with hosts Jim and Hamish to talk frankly about identity, adaptation and why joy hasn’t disappeared from her life, it’s simply changed shape.
They explore how carers and families can better understand the deeply individual ways dementia shows up and how curiosity, rather than fear, can transform relationships.
 
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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.
 
ABOUT THE GUESTS
Gwenda is a proud Palawa woman, Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate and former member of the Aged Care Council of Elders. Diagnosed with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia in 2012, she has spent more than a decade challenging the stigma that often accompanies dementia.
 
NEED SUPPORT?
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government.
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES
Find links, services and information from this episode via the Dementia Australia website.
 
EPISODE CREDITS
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman
 
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
 
Dementia Australia acknowledges and appreciates the support of the Australian Government for this initiative.

As dementia progresses, the way people express themselves can change, sometimes in subtle ways and sometimes more dramatically.  
In our Ask Us Anything episodes, you send us your questions about living with dementia and we’ll answer them as honestly as we can. Nothing is off limits here!  
We offer practical and compassionate strategies for people struggling with evening routines, and for when a loved one’s language reverts to mother tongue.  
 
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ABOUT THIS EPISODE 
This ‘Ask Us Anything’ episode was hosted by Jim Rogers with advice from Louise, a National Dementia Helpline Advisor at Dementia Australia.  
 
NEED SUPPORT?  
Contact the National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - funded by the Australian Government. 
 
SERVICES & RESOURCES  
Find links, services and information from this episode → https://www.dementia.org.au/episode-still-me
 
EPISODE CREDITS 
Produced by Liam Riordan | Sound design by Slade Gibson | Executive producers: Sarah Dabro and Kellie Riordan | Production manager: Ann Chesterman 
FOLLOW DEMENTIA AUSTRALIA  
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn 
 
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.