Dementia Unravelled
When someone you love is diagnosed with dementia, the questions come fast, and figuring out what comes next can feel confusing, overwhelming, and isolating. I created Dementia Unravelled so you don't have to figure it out alone. I'm Lyndal Harris, a Dementia Doula, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy facilitator, and founder of Compassionate Transitions. I share what I'm learning through working with individuals living with dementia and their families, my ongoing studies, and conversations with my peers. I also bring my own lived experience as dementia runs in my family, and this is the information I wish I'd had earlier. My goal...
Dementia and Brain Change with Leah Keating
In this episode, Lyndal is joined by Leah Keating - dementia doula, CST facilitator, and founder of LK Dementia Doula Services. This is a conversation that could genuinely shift the way you think about dementia. We explore why some practitioners are moving away from the word "dementia" altogether, what's actually happening inside the brain when a disease like Alzheimer's or Lewy body takes hold, and why getting curious - rather than brushing things off - could make all the difference for your family.
In this episode:
Why today's conversation might change the way you...Living Well After a Dementia Diagnosis
A dementia diagnosis is not the end of the story. Not by a long shot. In this episode, Lyndal explores what living well after a dementia diagnosis actually looks like in practice: why staying active matters more than most people realise, what loneliness and social isolation actually do to the brain, and the mindset shift that changes how families show up for someone they love. Because a diagnosis tells you what's happening in the brain. It doesn't write the next chapter.
In this episode:
The picture most people have in their head when they hear "dementia"...After a Dementia Diagnosis - Where to Begin
After a dementia diagnosis, a lot of families are left wondering where to begin. The appointment is over, the diagnosis has been given - and then, for many people, there's just a gap. In this episode, Lyndal shares a few steps worth thinking about in those early weeks - a place to start, so you don't have to figure it out alone.
In this episode:
The very first thing to do after a diagnosis - and it's probably not what you'd expectWhy this is the beginning of a journey, not a crisis to solve this weekThe...Family Celebrations and Dementia
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 he...
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy & Living Well with Dementia
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..."A What?" What is a Dementia Doula?
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 re...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...Is It Just Ageing? Understanding the Early Signs of Dementia
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...Dementia Unravelled Trailer
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
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