Hold on to relationships – Family, friendships and dating after a dementia diagnosis

2024-09-03

Anthony was by himself when he first learned he had dementia. He didn’t feel like he had a close-knit family or a group of friends to turn to for support. But now, Anthony’s not only made new friends and become closer with his three siblings – he’s also found love again. So much changes after being diagnosed with dementia, including your relationships. But it doesn’t mean you have to let go of them. When Dom’s father was diagnosed with dementia, she took on some of the caring duties, but she didn’t wan...

Anthony was by himself when he first learned he had dementia. He didn’t feel like he had a close-knit family or a group of friends to turn to for support.

But now, Anthony’s not only made new friends and become closer with his three siblings – he’s also found love again.

So much changes after being diagnosed with dementia, including your relationships. But it doesn’t mean you have to let go of them. When Dom’s father was diagnosed with dementia, she took on some of the caring duties, but she didn’t want to lose their father-daughter dynamic. It took some creative thinking and a lot of practice, but it was worth the effort to keep the relationship strong.

Hold the Moment co-host Jim Rogers is still figuring out what friendship and romance looks like now he’s living with younger onset dementia. And co-host Hamish Macdonald who is navigating the changes with his father, who’s living with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s.

Join them to hear how others are managing their relationships after a diagnosis.

The Dementia Australia website has resources about relationships for carers, family and friends, as well as people living with dementia here.

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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.

For support, you can contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours a day, seven days a week). The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government.

Follow Dementia Australia on Facebook and Instagram or find support resources on our website.

This episode was produced by Liam Riordan. Sound design by Sean Holden. The executive producers are Grace Pashley and Kellie Riordan. Production manager is Ann Chesterman.

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.

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