Age Compass

In the final episode of this three-part series, Robyn shares her thoughts and experiences around driving while living with dementia, including the emotions, challenges, and personal reflections that come with navigating independence and change.

Most importantly, Robyn answers one final question: what does she wish everyone knew about people living with dementia?

Her answer is thoughtful, honest, and something every family member, friend, carer, health professional, and community member deserves to hear.

Whether dementia is part of your life or not, Robyn's reflections offer a powerful reminder that while a diagnosis may change some things, it never changes a person's need for purpose, connection, identity, and understanding.

Because behind every diagnosis is a person who still wants to be seen, heard, understood, and valued.

(* Apologies for the sound of rain you'll hear in this episode).

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What does it feel like to hear the words you've been expecting, yet never wanted to hear?

In Part 2 of this heartfelt three-part series, Robyn opens up about the emotions that followed her dementia diagnosis. Even though she had sensed something wasn't right for some time, receiving a diagnosis brought its own challenges, fears, and questions about what life might look like moving forward.

With honesty and courage, Robyn shares the reality of navigating those early days while learning that a diagnosis does not mean life is over. It means finding a new way forward.

Robyn also shares what's helped her adapt, thrive, and continue embracing life after diagnosis, including one simple item that made a world of difference when travelling.

Whether you're living with dementia, caring for someone who is, or hoping to better understand the challenges and possibilities that come after diagnosis, this conversation is filled with wisdom, resilience, and hope.

Because a diagnosis is not the end of your story. It's the beginning of learning how to move forward while staying true to who you are.

(* Apologies for the sound of rain you'll hear in this episode).

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What happens when you know something isn't quite right, but everyone around you believes you're fine?

In Part 1 of this powerful three-part series, Robyn shares the deeply personal story of recognising changes in her thinking long before anyone else could see them. She reflects on why she sought answers, the challenges of pursuing a diagnosis when tests suggested everything was normal, and how trusting her own instincts ultimately changed the course of her life.

Robyn also shares the choices she made after receiving her diagnosis. The mindset shifts, practical changes, and sources of strength that helped her move from fear and uncertainty towards purpose, hope, and living life on her own terms.

Whether you're living with dementia, supporting someone you love, or simply wanting to better understand more about behind the diagnosis, Robyn's story offers honesty, insight, and hope.

Because understanding dementia starts by listening to the person living with it.

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Could you be the highlight of someone's entire week without even realising it?

In this episode, I share a simple encounter that became a powerful reminder of the difference aged care and community support workers make every day. A gentle reflection on human connection, kindness, and why never underestimating your presence might change someone's life.

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What conversations should families be having before a health emergency occurs?

In Part 2, we talk with a frontline paramedic about the realities of emergency care for older adults, from falls and infections to hospital transfers and advance care planning. 

Together, we explore how planning ahead can help families feel more confident when difficult decisions need to be made. Packed with practical wisdom and compassionate insight, this is a conversation that family carers, aged care workers, and anyone supporting an older person should hear.

(Note: Phone number 000 relates to Australian emergency services.)

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How often do paramedics attend callouts involving older adults? It's more than you might think.

In this episode, we sit down with a frontline paramedic to explore the realities of emergency care for older adults, both at home and in aged care. We discuss the most common reasons ambulances are called, from falls and infections to even carer stress.

We also take a closer look at delirium, including how it can present, why it can be so concerning, and the importance of trusting your instincts when something doesn't seem right. 

A practical and reassuring conversation packed with insights for family carers, aged care workers, and anyone supporting an older person.

(Note: Phone number 000 relates to Australian emergency services.)

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What if one of the biggest factors influencing how you age isn't your genetics... but your mindset?

In this episode, we explore the connection between mindset and ageing, and how the beliefs we hold about getting older may influence our health, memory, confidence and overall well-being.

We'll unpack the research behind age beliefs, discuss the hidden impact of anti-ageing culture, and dive into Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer's famous Counterclockwise Experiment, which challenged what we thought was possible as we grow older.

Could changing the way you think about ageing change the way you experience it?

Research:

Stereotype Embodiment | A Psychosocial Approach to Aging | Becca Levy PMCID: PMC2927354 NIHMSID: NIHMS155298 PMID: 20802838

 A review and meta-analysis of age-based stereotype threat: negative stereotypes, not facts, do the damage | Ruth A Lamont, Hannah J Swift, Dominic Abrams PMID: 25621742 PMCID: PMC4360754 DOI: 10.1037/a0038586

The Counterclockwise Study 1979 by Harvard professor Ellen Langer

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If you thought communication was just about talking, think again. In Part 2, we continue our conversation with Sophie, an experienced speech pathologist, and explore the simple yet powerful ways speech pathology can help people stay connected, understood and supported.

Along the way, Sophie shares practical insights for families, carers and healthcare teams, as well as some of the most important lessons she's learned working with older adults.

A warm and thoughtful conversation about connection, dignity and seeing the person beyond the diagnosis.

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If you thought speech pathology was just about stutters and speech sounds, think again. In this episode, we chat with Sophie, an experienced speech pathologist, about the surprisingly broad and invaluable role speech pathology plays in supporting older adults.

From swallowing difficulties and communication changes associated with dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease (MND), Sophie shares practical insights, early warning signs to look for, and why she loves working with older adults.

A warm, eye-opening conversation that might just change the way you think about speech pathology altogether.

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Most of us think dementia is just forgetting things. I used to think that too.

But what if memory loss is only part of the story?

In this episode, we explore the many ways dementia can affect a person’s world, from language and emotions to sleep, perception, personality and connection. Along the way, I share lessons from my own journey with Mum and how one simple shift changed everything.

If you've ever wondered what someone living with dementia might really be experiencing, this conversation is for you.

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