Rainbow Region Dementia Doula

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I was recently invited to contribute a short piece to the **Carers NSW Carer Gateway newsletter, sharing a little about ...
01/04/2026

I was recently invited to contribute a short piece to the **Carers NSW Carer Gateway newsletter, sharing a little about what a dementia doula is and how this kind of support can help individuals and families navigating dementia.

It felt really meaningful to be part of something that reaches carers across the state — people who are often holding so much, quietly and with great love.

Here’s the piece I shared:

✨ What is a Dementia Doula?

Dementia doulas provide personalised, non-medical support to people living with dementia and the family members and friends who care for them. Their role is to walk alongside individuals and carers throughout the dementia journey, offering guidance, practical strategies and compassionate support as needs change over time.

Dementia often brings emotional, practical and decision-making challenges. Dementia doulas help carers understand these changes while supporting quality of life, dignity and meaningful connection.

Support is tailored to each person and family, and may include navigating services, planning ahead, and finding ways to stay connected and engaged.

Importantly, dementia doulas support both the person living with dementia and those who care for them — helping the journey feel less overwhelming and more supported.

🌈
Walking beside you with clarity and compassion
Gin

✨ This week I had the opportunity to present at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore — alongside an incredi...
27/03/2026

✨ This week I had the opportunity to present at the University Centre for Rural Health in Lismore — alongside an incredible group of clinicians including Dr Rachel Jones, Dr Danielle Medek, and nurse practitioners from the local health outreach service.

A special thank you to Frances Barraclough for the invitation and for creating the opportunity to bring this conversation into such an important learning environment.

We explored how the role of a Dementia Doula can walk alongside clinical and allied health teams to better support people living with dementia in the community.

I shared:
💬 What a dementia doula is (and isn’t)
🤝 How we complement — not replace — clinical care
🌱 The difference personalised, relational support can make for individuals and families

We also paused for a small reminiscence activity — using the sound of waves and the scent of sunscreen to gently evoke memory, emotion and connection. Watching the room soften in that moment was really special.

What stood out most was how open and welcoming everyone was to this emerging role — and the shared recognition that people living with dementia (and their families) need more continuity, guidance and human connection alongside clinical care.

This is exactly why Rainbow Region Dementia Doula exists 🌈

To walk beside people with clarity, compassion… and to help make moments matter.

If you're a health professional, service provider or family wanting to understand how this support can fit alongside care, I’d love to connect.

Warmly,
Gin 🌿

While I was in Brisbane last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with a few fellow Dementia Doulas.It’s always...
10/03/2026

While I was in Brisbane last week I had the opportunity to spend some time with a few fellow Dementia Doulas.

It’s always valuable to connect with others working in this space — sharing experiences, reflecting on the evolving dementia care landscape, and talking about how we can better support people living with dementia and their families.

Thank you to Leah Keating, Lyndal Harris and Kate Nankivell for the thoughtful conversation. LK Dementia Doula Services Compassionate Transitions Australia

I always come away from these discussions reminded how important compassionate, person-centred support is for both people living with dementia and those who care for them.

Now back home in the Northern Rivers, continuing the work. 🌈

Rainbow Region Dementia Doula
Walking beside you with clarity and compassion.

🌿 Last week I attended the Tweed Seniors Festival Opening Ceremony, a lovely celebration of older people in our communit...
10/03/2026

🌿 Last week I attended the Tweed Seniors Festival Opening Ceremony, a lovely celebration of older people in our community.

This year’s theme — “Live Life in Colour” — felt especially fitting. The program runs from 2–15 March and includes a wonderful range of activities across the Tweed.

It was great to share a table and connect with other local services supporting ageing, wellbeing and end-of-life care across the region, alongside organisations such as Home Care Society, Agile Exercise Physiology, and Pura Vida Remedies

Events like this are a wonderful reminder that supporting people living with dementia — and the families walking alongside them — is truly a community effort.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat.

Gin
Rainbow Region Dementia Doula
Walking beside you with clarity and compassion





Last week I had the privilege of attending a Dementia Australia Yarning Circle at the Brain Hub in Tweed, focused on Abo...
01/03/2026

Last week I had the privilege of attending a Dementia Australia Yarning Circle at the Brain Hub in Tweed, focused on Aboriginal experiences of dementia.

It was a powerful space of listening and learning.

The conversation centred on how dementia is experienced within community, family and culture — and how support must be shaped through cultural safety, connection and trust.

I was grateful to connect with Paris, an Indigenous social worker connected with Bugalwena Aboriginal Health Service, who generously shared insights into local Aboriginal health networks and community-led approaches to care. She spoke about the importance of culturally safe pathways for families walking alongside loved ones living with dementia.

We discussed the possibility of dementia connection circles that are inclusive of First Nations ways of gathering — grounded in relationship, story and community.

These conversations are an important reminder that dementia support cannot be one-size-fits-all.

Culturally safe, community-informed approaches are essential in ensuring people living with dementia — and their families — feel seen, supported and respected.

Thank you to Dementia Australia for holding such a welcoming and inclusive space.

I look forward to continuing to learn and to walk alongside community where invited.

Over three days last week I attended Dementia Australia’s Brain Hub sessions held locally in Tweed.It was a valuable opp...
01/03/2026

Over three days last week I attended Dementia Australia’s Brain Hub sessions held locally in Tweed.

It was a valuable opportunity to deepen my understanding of the latest programs available for people living with dementia and their families — and to connect with others working alongside them in our community.

Sessions included:

• Understanding Dementia
• Dementia Friendly Communities
• Dementia Australia’s Advocate Program
• Practical activities for home support
• The Edie Virtual Reality dementia experience
• Respite pathways
• The impact of grief and loss

It was also wonderful to connect with local providers including Karen from Hey Day (formerly Byron Respite Services), Di from Carers Gateway and Andrew from Dementia Outreach Support.

Throughout the program, Team Lead Annette generously highlighted the work of Rainbow Region Dementia Doula, which I was grateful for.

I also had the chance to speak with people living with dementia and their carers — hearing directly about their local challenges and experiences.

The Brain Hub is one of only three week-long programs Dementia Australia delivers in regional NSW, so Tweed was fortunate to host this.

For me, staying connected to what supports exist locally means I can better guide families towards services that may help them feel less alone on the journey.

Today I had the absolute pleasure of returning to Beating Hearts at the Lismore Sports & Recreation Club.I attended last...
09/02/2026

Today I had the absolute pleasure of returning to Beating Hearts at the Lismore Sports & Recreation Club.

I attended last week to participate, and today I was invited to briefly speak.

Around 70 older locals gather here each week for movement, music, connection and morning tea — a beautiful initiative started by local geriatrician Dr Rachel Jones in response to the social isolation many experienced after the Lismore floods.

Before I spoke, Dr Jones very kindly explained to the group how Dementia Doula support can help families navigating dementia and end-of-life. I felt incredibly honoured by the introduction.

The theme today was Valentine’s Day ❤️
There were heart balloons, laughter, dancing, and even a participant celebrating her prenuptials!

I shared a little about my role, left brochures at the front, and stayed for chats afterwards. I spoke with three wives supporting partners living with dementia, an OT, and was invited to speak at a Young Onset Dementia peer support group as well.

This is what community looks like.
Connection. Joy. Support. Conversation.

Thank you, Beating Hearts, for the warm welcome — I’ll definitely be back.

This week I attended the Northern Rivers Community of Practice on Ageing at Crowley Care in Ballina, held in collaborati...
08/02/2026

This week I attended the Northern Rivers Community of Practice on Ageing at Crowley Care in Ballina, held in collaboration with Social Futures and Healthy North Coast.

The focus was the new End-of-Life Pathway under Support at Home, and how health, aged care and community services can work together to support people to die well at home.

The conversations were honest, practical and deeply important.

We explored questions like:
• How do in-home providers manage the transition from CHSP into the End-of-Life Pathway?
• Are teams prepared for the emotional realities of end-of-life care?
• What makes a successful Care Partner?
• How do we ensure culturally safe end-of-life care?

These aren’t system questions. These are the exact challenges families face in the final stage of dementia.

This is why the role of a Dementia Doula matters.

Not as another service — but as the calm thread that helps families and providers navigate this stage with clarity, compassion and coordination.

I’m so grateful to be part of these conversations shaping how end-of-life care will look across the Northern Rivers.

Walking beside you with clarity and compassion.
Make moments matter.

I had such a lovely morning with the Beating Hearts of Lismore group this morning. A wonderful community program bringin...
02/02/2026

I had such a lovely morning with the Beating Hearts of Lismore group this morning. A wonderful community program bringing people together through movement, music, connection and morning tea. 💛

Today I visited a client in an aged care home in Casino, accompanying a family member to offer support and gentle presen...
09/01/2026

Today I visited a client in an aged care home in Casino, accompanying a family member to offer support and gentle presence.

One small but powerful detail stood out — a care worker wearing a bright pink uniform with large red strawberries. Against the beige surroundings, it brought instant warmth and colour into the space.

For someone living with dementia, this kind of visual contrast really matters. Familiar carers who are easy to spot can support recognition, comfort, and connection. It’s no surprise this is my client’s favourite carer — his family says his face lights up when she appears.

Sometimes it’s the simplest things — colour, kindness, visibility — that make environments feel more human and more supportive.

💗🍓 Colour, connection, and compassion really do matter.





A Dementia Doula offers calm, clear support to individuals living with dementia - and the families who love them - right...
10/09/2025

A Dementia Doula offers calm, clear support to individuals living with dementia - and the families who love them - right here in Northern Rivers. At Rainbow Region Dementia Doula, Gin walks beside you with compassion through every step. 💙 Have you ever wondered how a doula differs from other care roles? Let me know below - I’d love to answer!”

"Connecting early with a Dementia Doula can help with key transitions on the Dementia journey"
29/08/2025

"Connecting early with a Dementia Doula can help with key transitions on the Dementia journey"

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PO Box 748
Cawongla, NSW
2474

Telephone

+61732773077

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