Best Professor Colm Cunningham Podcasts (2025)

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Talking First Nations: transitioning into aged care 22:24

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2y ago22:24

22:24

Send us a text In this episode of The Dementia Podcast, Colm introduces an expert panel as they explore the care considerations for First Nations peoples with a particular focus on dementia care. Members of this panel include; Professor Dawn Bessarab, a Bard/Yindijibarndi woman, Director of the Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health at the…

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What Changes? 18:08

2+ y ago18:08

18:08

Send us a text In the final episode of this season of the Dementia Podcast, Ailsa talks with filmmaker Jason van Genderen and Megan van Genderen about their recently released documentary Everybody’s Oma and about the challenges, heartbreak and love captured in the film as they cared for Oma. Through Ailsa’s conversation with Jason and Megan we expl…

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Dementia and Difference 21:48

2+ y ago21:48

21:48

Send us a text In our penultimate episode of the season, Colm talks with Susan Kurrle, a geriatrician, and professor at the faculty of medicine and health at the University of Sydney. Together they explore the differences in dementia and how progression for each person may vary. Ailsa continues her conversation with Jim and Clare, investigating the…

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Community and Design 20:06

2+ y ago20:06

20:06

Send us a text Ailsa heads to the Wurun Senior Campus in Melbourne to chat with the students about dementia and through the conversations we see some of the community perceptions. The students share generously about their own personal experiences and the education and information they have received about dementia. Looking at the community we hear o…

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Support and Care 17:51

2+ y ago17:51

17:51

Send us a text In this episode we join Colm as he heads over to chat with John Swinton, a theologian and a world leader in disability theology. John is also the chair in Divinity and Religious Studies, Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, University of Aberdeen. Colm talks with John about the journey he has been on in his career, and …

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The Questions 23:05

2+ y ago23:05

23:05

Send us a text We join Ailsa on a chilly Melbourne afternoon as she chats with Steve Macfarlane, head of clinical services for DSA. They discuss how a diagnosis is delivered and we hear from Clare and Jim as they recount the experience. One question the podcast asks is how early is early when it comes to picking up on a future diagnosis. To that en…

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The Next Step 19:12

2+ y ago19:12

19:12

Send us a text In episode two of our new series, Ailsa heads over to talk to Dr Sally Cockburn, also known for her regular radio hosting role as ‘Dr Feelgood’ in her segment Talking Health with Dr Sally Cockburn They talk next steps, following on from those first signs, and what that process looks like for the GP and how Sally has handled those con…

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First Signs 20:10

3y ago20:10

20:10

Send us a text The Dementia Podcast is back! In this the first episode in our new series, Starting Conversations, host Colm Cunningham is joined by author and resident guest, Ailsa Wild. Ailsa meets with her neighbours, Clare & Jim to talk about what it was like for them when Clare had those first signs of dementia and the conversation with their d…

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Talking First Nations: The importance of culturally and spiritually aware care (Revisited) 34:23

3y ago34:23

34:23

Send us a text In National Reconciliation Week: Be Brave Make Change, we wanted to reshare one of our episodes of ‘The Dementia Podcast’ from last year celebrating the history, culture and achievements of First Nations peoples. Joining Colm in this episode, HammondCare CEO Mike Baird shares what reconciliation means to HammondCare and why it is imp…

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Intermission Announcement 2:35

3+ y ago2:35

2:35

Send us a text In this episode Colm shares the future plans for the podcast including a new seasonal format and an intermission period. #Savethedate for September when the Dementia Podcast will be back with weekly episodes. To stay up to date on our progress follow us @Dementia_Centre on twitter and check in our website dementiacentre.com. We alway…

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Talking Arts: What is Arts Engagement? 34:12

3+ y ago34:12

34:12

Send us a text On this episode of the Dementia Podcast, Colm chats with Michelle Heldon, Art and Dementia Coordinator for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Australia and Lead Artist for the Arts Engagement team at HammondCare. In the episode Michelle chats with Colm about family inspiration, the benefits of art expression in Dementia Care and anecdot…

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Talking Dementia: What is Frontotemporal Dementia? 35:49

3+ y ago35:49

35:49

Send us a text On this episode of the Dementia Podcast, Colm chats with Steve Macfarlane, Head of Clinical Services at Dementia Support Australia and Lynne Sewell whose husband, Rick, is living with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). In the episode Steve gives us a clinical overview of FTD, the differences from types of Dementia like Alzheimer's diseas…

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International Dementia Conference 2022 Call for Papers 7:43

3+ y ago7:43

7:43

Send us a text In this episode of the Dementia Podcast, Colm is talking all things International Dementia Conference #IDC2022. Being hosted in Sydney, Australia on 8-9 September 2022 the #dementiaposdcast team is excited to share the news that the Call for Papers is now live! Colm is in conversation with Judi Lewis, General Manager of Marketing at …

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Talking Dementia: Diagnosis and Post-Diagnostic Care 34:59

3+ y ago34:59

34:59

Send us a text On this episode of the Dementia Podcast, Colm chats with three members of the COGNISANCE project, Bill Yeates, Dr Dorota Szcześniak & return guest Dr Meredith Gresham. Together they chat with Colm about current problems with the way a dementia diagnosis is communicated and support people with dementia and carers afterwards, as well a…

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Talking Design: Understanding Accessibility 28:40

3+ y ago28:40

28:40

Send us a text Colm sits down with return guests Annie and Ricky Pollock to talk design. Design is one of the major pillars at HammondCare’s Dementia Centre and this episode is a revealing look as to why that might be. Annie and Ricky were last on the show for the episode Talking Design: Air Quality, Acoustics and Dementia. In the episode Ricky and…

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Talking Toilets: Continence and the bidet 21:57

3+ y ago21:57

21:57

Send us a text Meredith Gresham returns to chat with Colm in our very first episode for 2022. In today’s episode, Colm and Meredith talk about toilets. Since continence is a major issue in residential and home care, they discuss strategies and tips on how best to provide accessible and hygienic care. Meredith’s last episode on the podcast, Talking …

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Talking Dementia: Festive tips for celebrations 14:17

3+ y ago14:17

14:17

Send us a text In this Christmas episode of The Dementia Podcast, Talking Dementia: Festive tips for celebrations, Colm is joined by author and dementia champion, Agnes Houston and Dementia Consultants, Colleen McDonald and Ashley Roberts to share their experience of how to make your holiday event fun for everyone in the family. Colm speaks with Ag…

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Talking Design: Air Quality, Acoustics and Dementia 25:43

3+ y ago25:43

25:43

Send us a text It was a chance meeting with Mary Marshall in 1993, the then Professor at the University of Stirling and Director of the Dementia Services Development Centre, that inspired Annie and Ricky Pollock to introduce the principles of designing for people with dementia into all their projects. In this episode of the Dementia Podcast “Talkin…

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Talking Engagement: HammondCare’s Christmas Appeal 20:30

3+ y ago20:30

20:30

Send us a text As we approach Christmas, join Colm and Claire McCarthy, Head of HammondCare Foundation, as they discuss the important work of the Foundation in raising funds to support people with dementia. In “Talking Engagement: HammondCare’s Christmas Appeal” we hear how this year’s Christmas fundraising event “Get on board” is about providing o…

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Talking Deafness and Dementia: A CODA’s story 32:07

3+ y ago32:07

32:07

Send us a text Join Colm and Mary Jane ‘MJ’ Grant as they discuss deafness and dementia care through their professional and personal experiences. MJ has produced some touching YouTube videos of how she engages and connects with her deaf mother who also has a diagnosis of dementia. In this podcast MJ talks about her journey as a carer of a deaf moth…

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Talking Dementia: Reminiscence and Life Story Work 33:01

3+ y ago33:01

33:01

Send us a text Join Colm, Professor Assumpta Ryan and Professor Faith Gibson in their discussion of the meaning and best practice implementation of reminiscence and life story work in dementia care. Professor Assumpta Ryan is the Professor of Ageing and Health at Ulster University. In this episode she refers to the success of her app ‘The InspireD …

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Talking Clinical Trials: Participant's experience and perspective 23:29

4y ago23:29

23:29

Send us a text Join Colm, Professor Steve Macfarlane, Maree Mastwyk, Trish and John as they discuss the personal and professional characteristics of a clinical trial. Professor Steve Macfarlane is the Head of Clinical Services at HammondCare's Dementia Centre and his colleague, Maree Mastwyk is a Team leader of Clinical trials. Together they define…

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Talking Topaz: An international knowledge exchange 26:33

4y ago26:33

26:33

Send us a text Join Colm in a unique ‘live’ episode to celebrate World Alzheimer’s Day and Dementia Action Week. This episode allows us to join part of the discussion on the 'Stronger Together' webinar that launched HammondCare and it’s Dementia Centre ‘s partnership with Topaz , a leading Dutch aged care provider. This conversation centres around …

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Talking Dementia: What is Dementia? 23:13

4y ago23:13

23:13

Send us a text Join Colm, A/Prof Steve Macfarlane and Holly Markwell as they introduce the series ‘Talking Dementia’. Steve is the head of Clinical Services at The Dementia Centre and Clinical Specialist at Dementia Support Australia. Holly is head of professional development at ‘The Dementia Centre’. The ‘Talking Dementia’ series seeks to provide …

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Talking Advocacy: It takes a team 33:55

4y ago33:55

33:55

Send us a text Join Colm and an incredible lived experience panel as they discuss the role of the dementia activist, advocate, and champion and the personal and professional partnerships involved in ensuring the voices of those living with dementia are heard. On this panel, we have the professional partnership representatives of Joanna Fozard and A…

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Talking Art: A child's storybook-creating conversations 15:20

4y ago15:20

15:20

Send us a text Join Colm and best-selling author Alex Winstanley as they discuss Alex’s award-winning book “My Grandma has Dementia” and the importance of lived experience and child targeted authorship in dementia care. Alex spent years as a teacher and carer and has since set up a not-for-profit organisation called Happy Smiles Training CIC . Alex…

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Talking First Nations: The importance of culturally and spiritually aware care 41:41

4y ago41:41

41:41

Send us a text Join Colm in his special episode of ‘The Dementia Podcast’ held in recognition of Australia’s NAIDOC week. NAIDOC or, National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee week, is held as a celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Joining us in this episode is Hammon…

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Talking Design: Why it can ‘provoke’ behaviour 35:56

4y ago35:56

35:56

Send us a text Join Colm, Liz Fuggle and Meredith Gresham in their exploration of the influence of dementia design on behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia. Liz is a UK registered architect who specialises in designing for those living with Dementia and is a design consultant at HammondCare. Meredith Gresham, a trained occupational ther…

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Talking Music: Dementia friendly singing groups and choirs (Part 2) 22:42

4y ago22:42

22:42

Send us a text Join Colm and Diana Kerr, as they continue their discussion on the importance of music in the care of someone living with dementia. Diana is an experienced practitioner, researcher, educator and trainer in the field of dementia and learning disability and has spent much of her career advocating for the use of music in improving wellb…

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Talking Palliative Care: Normalising the conversation 28:50

4y ago28:50

28:50

Send us a text Join Colm, Helen Reeves, head of specialised services at St Giles Hospice and Professor Rod MacLeod, clinical medical advisor to Hospice New Zealand as they define palliation in the context of international dementia care. Together they provide a foundational discussion on the importance of palliative care for those with dementia, the…

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Talking Music: 'The Thing that Stays' (Part 1) 25:47

4y ago25:47

25:47

Send us a text Join Colm and Diana Kerr, an experienced practitioner, researcher, educator and trainer in the field of dementia and learning disability who has spent much of her career advocating for the use of music with people with dementia. Diana was previously the Course Director for the MSc in Dementia Studies at the University of Stirling, Re…

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Talking Medication: Looking at the person, not only the symptom 33:01

4y ago33:01

33:01

Send us a text *May contain sensitive material. Content is not direct medical advice, for medical advice please contact your general practitioner regarding your particular situation. Join Colm and an expert panel in their discussion of the appropriate use of medication in the treatment of behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia. This conv…

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Talking Design: In conversation with Professor Mary Marshall OBE, the principles of design (Part 2) 32:29

4+ y ago32:29

32:29

Send us a text Join Colm and Professor Mary Marshall OBE as they continue their discussion of her pioneering career in improving dementia care services. This episode focuses closely on Mary’s work in dementia design, sharing her learnings of how the built environment impacts the quality of life of a person with dementia and best practice tips on en…

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Talking Design: In conversation with Professor Mary Marshall OBE, an extraordinary life (Part 1) 22:08

4+ y ago22:08

22:08

Send us a text Join Colm and Professor Mary Marshall OBE, professor Emeritus at the University of Stirling where she was the director of the Dementia Services Development Centre for 16 years. Mary now writes and lectures on dementia care, with a focus on design of enabling environments and is a senior consultant with The Dementia Centre. Together t…

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Talking Dementia: Being Present and Creating Connections 16:57

4+ y ago16:57

16:57

Send us a text Join Colm and Professor John Swinton, the Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the school of Divinity, History and Philosophy at the University of Aberdeen, as they discuss the meaning of being present for somebody with dementia. Together, they explain the principals of presence, its importance to caring for a person with demen…

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Talking Dementia: Would I lie to you? 24:21

4+ y ago24:21

24:21

Send us a text Join Colm as he debates ‘white lies’ in dementia care with HammondCare CEO Mike Baird, Chief Operating and Risk Officer Angela Raguz and care staff Donna and Rafaella. This episode explores circumstances when a carer or family member might feel it appropriate to lie to someone with dementia. ‘Would I lie to you’ dissects the term ‘wh…

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Talking Sense: Understanding sensory challenges and dementia 24:32

4+ y ago24:32

24:32

Send us a text Join Colm and author of “Talking Sense: Living with sensory changes and dementia”, Agnes Houston MBE as they discuss sensory changes in dementia, its limited awareness as a symptom in the field of dementia, and the journey to the release of her internationally acclaimed book. Together, they explore Agnes’ journey as a campaigner for …

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Understanding Behaviour: A Clinician's Perspective 25:34

4+ y ago25:34

25:34

Send us a text Join Colm and Associate Professor Steve MacFarlane, Head of Clinical Services at The Dementia Centre as they discuss the clinical and pharmacological considerations in the treatment of those who are experiencing behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Through a balanced discussion they explore the benefits of non-ph…

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Welcome to The Dementia Podcast 6:06

4+ y ago6:06

6:06

Send us a text Join Associate Professor Colm Cunningham the Director of The Dementia Centre , HammondCare as he introduces the Dementia Podcast. In this episode, Colm outlines the values, intention and direction of the Dementia Podcast. He summarises this podcast as a whole and identifies the key considerations for current and prospective listeners…