Hold on to joy: Managing grief as a carer

Jenny started grieving well before her husband passed away.  

After Noel was diagnosed with dementia, Jenny knew their life together would never be the same. But the grief she felt about that gave her strength and purpose too... 

Grief will be a major part of your journey if you’re caring for someone living with dementia. You might grieve the relationship you had before their diagnosis and you might be grieving after the person you cared for has passed away. It’s a natural part of the process and it’s painful, but there are strategies that can help you manage.  

Jenny shares what helped her through and Mara, a Dementia Australia counsellor, shares how she helps carers through tough times.  

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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 Gia Moylan and Liam Riordan, with sound design by Ryan Pemberton. The executive producers are Gia Moylan 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.