08. 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 think about dementia Leah's journey from school support officer to aged care to dementia doula Why the word "dementia" makes people recoil - and what "brain change" offers insteadHow knowing where in the brain is changing can help families make sense of what they're seeingLeft brain, right brain - why your loved one might be losing words but can still sing every lyric to their favourite songThe neuron explanation that finally makes sense: what plaques, tangles, and Lewy bodies actually do inside the brainWhy Lewy body dementia is so often missed or misdiagnosed Vascular dementia, blood flow, and the heart health connection most people don't know aboutThe important reminder that not everything that looks like dementia is dementiaWhy a diagnosis often comes years after the brain started changing, and what early intervention could mean for you or someone you love.Links & ResourcesFollow LK Dementia Doula Services on FacebookConnect with Leah Keating on LinkedInDementia Doulas AustraliaCompassionate Transitions websiteConnect with Lyndal Harris on LinkedInFollow Lyndal on FacebookFollow Lyndal on InstagramSend your question via the Compassionate Transitions website, or through social media.This podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice.