Stream via the SYOK app or website
Malaysians can now stream Navigating Dementia, an English podcast series that hopes to create awareness about dementia, presented by Shamayne Leelawati, a certified dementia care specialist. The podcast also touches on the background of dementia and its causes while providing support to families living with dementia by sharing ways to navigate the challenging journey. Navigating Dementia is now available for streaming on SYOK.
Since her own father was diagnosed with vascular dementia, Shamayne Leelawati, has been passionate to create awareness of the disease. As a caregiver to her own family member, she shares different ways one can handle people with dementia and her own personal experiences as a dementia advocate and caregiver.
Navigating Dementia with Shamayne Leelawati offers 10 episodes, with new episodes available every Tuesday at 10am on the SYOK app and website as well as on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The episodes include:
- Episode 1: What Is Dementia?
- Episode 2: Destigmatising Dementia
- Episode 3: So, Your Loved One Has Dementia. What Next?
- Episode 4: The Joys and Pains of Caregiving
- Episode 5: Mini-sode: Help! I Resent My Mom Yet Love Her Desperately
- Episode 6: Preserving Your Mental Health
- Episode 7: The Importance of Routines
- Episode 8: Sundowning Symptoms
- Episode 9: Mini-sode: Is Lying To My Loved One Wrong?
- Episode 10: Early Detection: What’s The Big Deal?
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Episodes and Synopsis: ‘Navigating Dementia’ with Shamayne Leelawati
Episode 1: What Is Dementia? | Stream now on SYOK via the SYOK app or website
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a decline in mental ability and is caused by diseases of the brain that cause nerve cells to die, damaging the structure and chemistry of the brain. Shamayne discusses what dementia is, the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's and shares facts about the disease as a whole.
Episode 2: Destigmatising Dementia | Stream on 21 June, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
Why are people hesitant to talk about dementia? Shamayne and Yasmin explore why there is so much taboo around the topic and why it is important to start speaking up about it.
Episode 3: So, Your Loved One Has Dementia. What Next? | Stream on 28 June, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
A lot of people are usually left in the dark after a dementia diagnosis is made, completely unprepared for the changes that they are about to experience in the days and months ahead. In this episode, Shamayne talks about what families should know after a diagnosis is made.
Episode 4: The Joys and Pains of Caregiving | Stream on 5 July, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
Caregiving can be both joyous and painful, fulfilling yet draining. If you are a family caregiver, this episode is for you as Shamayne talks to Yasmin about the roller-coaster of emotions she went through as a caregiver to her father, and how this is normal.
Episode 5: Mini-sode: Help! I Resent My Mom Yet Love Her Desperately | Stream on 12 July, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
Can love and resentment co-exist? As a follow up from last week's session, Shamayne addresses a listener’s question as she tackles the topic of why some care partners struggle with feelings of anger and frustration when caring for a person living with dementia.
Episode 6: Preserving Your Mental Health | Stream on 19 July, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
Whether you are a full-time caregiver or juggling caregiving duties with other responsibilities, getting respite is imperative if you are to continue giving the best care possible for your loved one with dementia.
Episode 7: The Importance of Routines | Stream on 26 July, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
A dementia care plan will usually include and recommend designing a routine for your loved one with dementia. In this episode, Shamayne talks about why this is important for both the caregiver and their loved one.
Episode 8: Sundowning Symptoms | Stream on 2 August, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
Sometimes a person with dementia will behave in ways that are difficult to understand in the late afternoon or early evening, right through the night. This is known as 'Sundowning'. Shamayne discusses some methods she uses to handle sundowning symptoms with her father and what other strategies may be employed with a loved one experiencing sundowning symptoms.
Episode 9: Mini-sode: Is Lying To My Loved One Wrong? | Stream on 9 August, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
Sometimes telling the truth can be brutal while lying is the kinder option. When a person with dementia asks difficult questions, lying can offer them comfort and security, while helping the caregiver manage the situation better.
Episode 10: Early Detection: What’s The Big Deal? | Stream on 16 August, at 10am via the SYOK app or website
People with dementia can live meaningful and productive lives for many years after an early diagnosis. Shamayne discusses the importance of an early diagnosis and the ways in which it helps both the person and family members to learn about the disease.
