What it’s really like to live with dementia – new podcast by people living with dementia

When Jim Rogers was diagnosed with younger onset dementia in his 50s he could not have imagined that several years later he would be co-hosting Dementia Australia’s podcast Hold the Moment.

Jim said the Hold the Moment podcast was by people who really understood dementia because, like him, they were living with it every day.

“It can feel very lonely after your diagnosis,” Jim said. “All I wanted to do when I was diagnosed was find out information and connect with other people.

“Being able to hear about others’ experiences in a positive way on a podcast like this, would have been an amazing thing for me to have had access to when I was first diagnosed.”

Jim co-hosts the seven-part podcast with journalist and broadcaster Hamish Macdonald, whose father has dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s.

“As a journalist I’ve met many people living with dementia, but all of this hit close to home a few years ago when my dad was diagnosed with dementia,” Hamish said.

“Receiving news of a diagnosis is huge and at every step of this project I’ve been in awe of the people living with dementia who were willing to share their experiences to help others.”

In candid interviews with people living with dementia, Jim and Hamish tackle a range of topics such as talking about your diagnosis and getting your affairs in order, as well as tips and strategies for other areas of life such as relationships, exercise, travel and sleep.

The episodes also feature experts who provide advice on common challenges people living with dementia face.

Jim said the Hold the Moment podcast provided an insight into what people with dementia face every day.

“It covers the gore, the encouragement, the softer side and just how powerful a positive mindset can be when living with dementia,” he said.

“The best thing about co-hosting the podcast was getting to meet and hear others talk about their own experiences, both good and bad!”

How to listen to the Hold the Moment podcast

The Hold the Moment podcast episodes are available on Dementia Australia’s website, where you can also find helpful information and advice on each of the topics covered.

You can also listen to and follow Hold the Moment wherever you get your podcasts.

Hold the Moment is brought to you by Dementia Australia in collaboration with people living with dementia and is produced by Deadset Studios.