Dementia Unravelled

Family gatherings and celebrations such as Easter, Christmas, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father's Day and others can be full of fun and festivities. But those same gatherings can also be some of the most overwhelming and stressful days of the year when someone you love is living with dementia.In this episode, Lyndal unpacks why big gatherings can feel challenging for someone living with brain change, and shares practical tips and strategies for making celebrations work for everyone. From preparing your family beforehand to knowing the signs that your loved one needs a break, this episode will help you feel a little more prepared and a little less concerned heading into your next family gathering.In this episode:Why family celebrations can feel so overwhelming for someone living with dementiaHow to brief extended family before the gathering so they know what to expect Simple adjustments to the day itself that can make a huge difference — from the size of the gathering to the time of dayWhy scheduling your celebration earlier could be a game-changerWhy you don’t have to recreate the celebrations of years past How to plan for the moment your loved one needs to step back The signs that stimulation is becoming too much Beautiful ways to include and involve your loved one so they feel useful How long-term memory can unlock some of the most meaningful moments Permission to feel the grief and a reminder to be kind to yourself.Links & ResourcesSimple Steps to Create a Dementia-Friendly HomeCompassionate Transitions websiteConnect with Lyndal Harris on LinkedInFollow on FacebookFollow on InstagramThis podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.

What if one of the most effective tools for supporting someone living with dementia wasn't a medication, but a conversation?In this episode, Lyndal introduces Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) - an evidence-based program that improves thinking skills, boosts confidence, and reduces isolation for people living with mild to moderate dementia. And the best part? Participants describe it as genuinely fun.Lyndal shares what happens in a session, what the research actually says, and why this is the work that she loves.In this episode:What if the most effective dementia support also happened to be enjoyableWhere CST came from and the scale of its reach around the worldThe research finding that puts CST in the same conversation as dementia medicationWhy social isolation is one of the biggest concerns for people living with dementiaWhat actually happens in a CST sessionThe surprising thing about childhood memories and why they're so powerful in dementia supportThe physical activity, and why it's in every single sessionCan CST work one-to-one? Lyndal shares a story that says it allWhat happens after the 14 sessions are doneWhat families notice, and the feedback that makes this work so rewarding.Links & ResourcesDementia Wellness CST groups - in-person and virtualCST Australia websiteProfessor Aimee Spector / UCL CST researchCompassionate Transitions website This podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.

You've noticed something... Maybe it's a repeated question over lunch, or a wrong turn on a familiar drive. Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it - you just know something feels different. In this episode, Lyndal unpacks one of the most common questions families ask: is this just normal ageing, or is something else going on? If you've been quietly watching a parent, partner or friend and wondering if it could be the early signs of dementia, this one is for you.In this episode:The key difference between normal forgetfulness and something worth paying attention toWhy memory loss isn't always the first sign families notice, and the early change that surprises people mostThe everyday moments that can signal something more is going on, and why they're so easy to dismissWhy the person living with the changes is often the last one to notice them, and the science behind why that happensThe unexpected visitor who may actually be the first to spot something is wrongWhy not everything that looks like dementia actually is - and the conditions that are sometimes mistaken for itThe one reason going to the GP early is always worth it, even if you're not sure there's anything wrongHow to have the conversation your family has been avoidingLinks & ResourcesNational Dementia Helpline - free, confidential, 24/7: 1800 100 500Dementia Australia websiteDementia Support Australia websiteCompassionate Transitions websiteBook an Enquiry or Clarity Call with LyndalListen to Episode 2 - What Actually Is Dementia?

Most people think they know what dementia is. But the reality is quite different, and understanding it changes everything. In this episode, Lyndal unpacks what dementia actually is, why it's so much more than memory loss, and what families really need to know after a diagnosis lands. Whether you're supporting someone right now or simply want to be more informed, this episode will help everything else make more sense.In this episode:Why dementia is not a single disease - and what it actually isThe number of different types of dementia that exist, and why that matters for diagnosis and careA quick guide to the most common types of dementia and how each one tends to show up differentlyThe type of dementia where memory isn't the first thing to change, and why families often mistake it for something else entirelyWhat Younger Onset Dementia is, who it affects, and why the challenges are so differentThe statistics about childhood dementia that most people have never heardThe biggest myths about dementia, and the one that gives people the most hopeWhy the person living with dementia is still very much there, and what that means for how we support them.Links & ResourcesNational Dementia Helpline - free, confidential, 24/7: 1800 100 500Dementia Australia websiteDementia Support Australia websiteDementia Doulas AustraliaListen to episode 1 - What is a Dementia Doula?Compassionate Transitions websiteConnect with Lyndal Harris on LinkedInFollow Lyndal on FacebookFollow Lyndal on Instagram

Have you ever heard the term dementia doula and thought… a what? You're not alone. In this first episode of Dementia Unravelled, host Lyndal Harris explains what a dementia doula actually is, and why, once people understand the role, the most common response is "I wish I'd known about that sooner."Lyndal shares her personal story, unpacks what the dementia doula role involves, and explains why she started this podcast - including some surprising statistics about how many Australians are living with dementia right now.In this episode:What the word doula actually meansWhat really happens after a dementia diagnosis, and why so many families are left feeling confused and overwhelmedLyndal shares what it was like when her own family received an Alzheimer's disease diagnosisWho created the dementia doula role, and what was the gap she could see in the healthcare system?What a dementia doula actually doesThe moment Lyndal knew this was the work she wanted to doThe dementia statistics every Australian should knowWhat this podcast is going to cover, and why Lyndal isn't positioning herself as an expert (but has plenty to share)Where to find a dementia doula in Australia, and why the role matters more than ever.Links & ResourcesDementia Doulas Australia: dementiadoulas.com.auDementia Doulas International: dementiadoulasinternational.comCompassionate Transitions Australia: compassionatetransitions.com.auThis podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.

Welcome to Dementia Unravelled.As a Dementia Doula and the founder of Compassionate Transitions Australia, I support people living with dementia and their loved ones, from diagnosis through to end-of-life and beyond.Through conversations, research, and insights, Dementia Unravelled explores dementia and brain health, sharing information that helps us better understand what’s happening and how we can support people living with dementia.If you're living with dementia, supporting someone who is, or simply interested in brain health, this podcast is for you.Links & Resources:Compassionate Transitions Website Connect with Lyndal on LinkedInFollow on FacebookFollow on Instagram