Where to from here? Life after a dementia diagnosis

Catherine had been driving confidently her whole life so, when she was in a car accident that she still can't fully recall, she knew something was wrong. 

However, she could never have predicted what would follow – a diagnosis of younger onset dementia in her late 50s. 

"Not in my wildest dreams did I think I had Alzheimer's, I still don't," Catherine said.

In the first episode of Dementia Australia’s podcast Hold the Moment, Catherine spoke candidly with co-hosts Hamish Macdonald and Jim Rogers about her diagnosis. 

She recounted the story of her diagnosis, tracing back from the early signs to her life now, to raise awareness about dementia. 

At the time of her diagnosis, Catherine was working as a passionate kindergarten teacher and she and her husband Steven were supporting their three children who were in their 20s. 

“It took a long time to understand and to deal with it and think, 'Okay – this is what I have and this is what I have to do',” she said.

Catherine's decision to share her story on the Hold the Moment podcast was so others going through something similar did not feel alone.

"I want to share my story and, if I can give just one person hope, I have done my job," she said.

Find out more

Visit the Dementia Australia website to listen to the full episode ‘Hold on to yourself – What does life after a dementia diagnosis look like?’.

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

You can find more information about getting a dementia diagnosis, on the Testing and Diagnosis page on our website.

It is important to remember that no two people experience dementia in the same way.

For free and confidential support, advice and expert information you can call the National Dementia Helpline.  

The National Dementia Helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year on 1800 100 500.