Jim Rogers didn’t see it coming. “It was almost like an out-of-body experience,” he says. “It was as though time stood still.”

Only a few months earlier, life for Jim was as it had always been. He and his husband Tyler were both busy, focused on their careers and very social. But Jim’s colleagues noticed he would occasionally forget important details at work. Little did he know this seemingly innocuous symptom would lead to a dementia diagnosis.

In the first episode of Hold the Moment, Jim shares the story of his own diagnosis with his co-host, broadcaster and journalist Hamish Macdonald. He then meets, Catherine, a kindergarten teacher from Sydney who shares the frightening accident that led to her own diagnosis and what gives her hope in the dark moments.

In Hold the Moment, Jim and Hamish talk to people living with dementia about their diagnosis experience, their new lifestyles and, most importantly, the changes, habits and mindsets that have helped them find positivity and peace in the moment.

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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 recognises 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.