Ground-breaking dementia podcast launched at iconic Sydney Opera House

When you think of the major health concerns facing Australians what comes to mind? 

It might shock you that dementia is actually the leading cause of death for Australian women and the second leading cause for men. It’s a condition that many people don’t immediately recognise and for the staggering 1.6 million Aussies caring for people living with dementia it can be hard to know how to help.  

Dementia Australia and Deadset Studios have launched Hold The Moment, an Australian-first podcast that aims to alleviate the loneliness and social isolation people living with dementia experience.   

The ground-breaking show is hosted by Jim Rogers, who lives with younger onset dementia, and journalist Hamish Macdonald, whose father has dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s.  

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

Across seven episodes Jim and Hamish are joined by an incredible cast of Aussies living their “adventure with dementia” as they share stories that are honest, raw, heartwarming, and at times heartbreaking.   

“The stories shared by all the people living with dementia involved will help to break down barriers that discourage people seeking help and reduce the impact of social isolation. Receiving news of a diagnosis is huge and at every step of this project I’ve been in awe of all of the people living with dementia willing to share about their often intensely personal experiences to help others,” Hamish explains.   

Dementia Australia’s Hold the Moment podcast, which was produced by Deadset Studios, is available now in your favourite podcast app.