In this episode of Is This Dementia?, hosts Darsh and Sarah sit down with Kym Torresi, a speech pathologist with over 30 years of experience supporting people living with dementia. Kym shares her person-first perspective on dementia, explaining why communication and swallowing support are critical for maintaining independence and quality of life.

We explore the often-overlooked role of speech pathology in dementia care—from diagnostic assessments to rehabilitation strategies that help people stay connected and engaged. Kym also discusses her research on the Right to Rehabilitation project, the barriers to accessing post-diagnostic supports, and practical solutions like the Introduction to Dementia Rehabilitation e-learning module.

Plus, we dive into how upcoming aged care reforms in Australia could transform access to speech pathology services and why early intervention matters. If you’ve ever wondered what speech pathologists do, or how rehabilitation can make a difference for people with dementia, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice.

Links to Kym's work below:

Introduction to Dementia Rehabilitation | Dementia Training Australia (DTA)

https://www.monash.edu/medicine/national-centre-for-healthy-ageing/living-labs/Improving-access-to-rehabilitation-for-people-with-dementia

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, hosts Darsh Ayton and Sarah Carmody speak with Professor Helen Rawson, a registered nurse and deputy head of Monash University's School of Nursing and Midwifery. Helen shares her personal journey as a carer for her mother living with dementia and reflects on how her cultural background and early experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to nursing and aged care.

Key topics include:

• Helen’s lived experience of caring for her mother with dementia across continents.
• The importance of knowing the person to deliver truly person-centered care.
• Differences between nursing in acute hospital settings vs. residential aged care.
• The critical role registered nurses play in advocacy—for residents, families, and the aged care workforce.
• Insights into grief experienced by aged care staff and the need for peer-based support.
• A pioneering infection prevention and control project co-designed with residents, families and staff in residential aged care.
• Helen’s advice for nursing students and new graduates about working with older adults.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the complexity, compassion, and leadership required in dementia care—and how registered nurses are at the forefront of providing this care.

Learn more about Helen’s work at the links below:

https://www.monash.edu/medicine/nursing/about/staff/helen-rawson

https://www.monash.edu/medicine/national-centre-for-healthy-ageing/living-labs/a-precise-study

In this episode of Is This Dementia?, hosts Darsh Ayton and Sarah Carmody are joined by Christina Wyatt, a seasoned occupational therapist and Professional Practice Advisor at Occupational Therapy Australia. With over two decades of experience across aged care, rehabilitation, and disability services, Christina offers a look into the vital—yet often underestimated—role of occupational therapy in supporting older adults, including those living with dementia. She explains how OTs help individuals maintain independence, identity, and quality of life through personalised, holistic interventions that address physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Christina also highlights the importance of early detection of cognitive decline, the power of functional assessments, and the collaborative nature of OT within multidisciplinary teams. The conversation explores how OTs contribute not only at the individual level but also at the systems level—advocating for better care models, influencing policy, and improving outcomes in both community and residential aged care. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how occupational therapy can transform dementia care and aged care more broadly.

Christina has shared some links to helpful resources below:

OT and dementia https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/86fd7324-ec79-4215-8637-7ebb06a498a7.pdf

OT in residential aged care https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/4ce6d5e1-904f-4dec-9889-4a8d16c6547c.pdf

OT and behaviour support plans https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/3176a6a9-5ce6-41c4-b296-2acabf666a28.pdf

OT and mealtimes https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/79a02980-5f10-48c7-a475-891cc98be58a.pdf

OT and community aged care https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/86fd7324-ec79-4215-8637-7ebb06a498a7.pdf

OT and falls prevention https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/585e185f-824e-46a2-b41b-4a11fe2c7a8a.pdf

OT and driving https://ota-directus-prod-fedmhjdvaceqf3g7.australiasoutheast-01.azurewebsites.net/assets/0dde41be-6298-4db6-9ea7-28904211a29a.pdf

https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/home-dementia