Embrace the Journey

Kia Ora!

Welcome, you have arrived at the About Me page.

“My name is Hinemoana Harding, and I want to share my background in Education and Dementia Care. My experiences as an educator and in Dementia Care have influenced the content of this blog. While my recent academic writing experience has tended to influence the content, the blog itself is more laid-back and personal.”

The Challenge

I aspire to inspire others.

Over my two decades as a child educator, I focused on nurturing children’s growth and success. I aimed to guide their learning in a way that would foster independence, positive self-concept, and individual awareness. Each child brought a unique style and knowledge shaped by their background and experiences—this diversity, which I openly embraced and valued, enriched their education and deepened my understanding.

Upon transitioning to Aged Care, I was struck by the shared principles between the two fields. Both older adults and young children reap the rewards of independence and self-determination. Numerous theories underscore the benefits of fostering independence in children for a healthy upbringing. Similarly, empowering older individuals is vital to maintaining their mental well-being, as they often yearn for the freedom they once enjoyed.

The Journey

When my mother was diagnosed with dementia, my journey of learning began. I had noticed some changes in her behaviour but wasn’t sure why, so I attributed it to the natural aging process. Despite the diagnosis, my mother remained her strong-willed self and was determined not to let this beat her. I was committed to helping her overcome this challenge.

My mother sensed something was wrong even before she received the diagnosis. She used the Maori term “Hoha Wareware” to describe her memory loss and confusion. Despite her irrepressible sense of humor, there was a hint of concern behind her laughter as she tried to make light of the situation. I would comfort her by saying, “I’m laughing with you, not at you,” and we would continue to laugh together.

I decided to research and learn more about dementia and its various aspects. My goal was to understand this condition’s causes, mechanisms, and implications to enhance my understanding and become an effective carer and support Mum before she even needed it—in other words, to be prepared. However, I soon discovered that dementia manifests differently in each person, challenging my initial expectations.

The Knowledge

‘Whaowhia te kete matauranga ‘- Fill the basket of knowledge

The journey of completing a Master of Education (Social Ecology) at Western University in Penrith, Sydney, was not just a professional milestone but a transformative experience. It commenced in 2018 with our move from Aotearoa (New Zealand) to Sydney, a transition that sparked my eagerness to continue my career in education while delving deeper into Ecopsychology and Cultural Change. This academic pursuit also provided me with a unique lens to understand Australia’s indigenous people, drawing intriguing parallels with my own culture.

My final thesis, ‘Culturally Responsive: My Story ‘, is structured around a comprehensive curriculum. This curriculum includes Transformative Learning, Engaging Communities, Social Ecology, Leadership, Mentoring, Professional Development, Research Methods Practices, and Leading Change. Within this framework, I present an autoethnographic qualitative study that rigorously explores my personal, cultural, political, and social experiences. The study highlights the importance of cultural responsiveness to diversity and the need for culturally responsive pedagogy.

The transition to aged care was a captivating and deeply personal journey. Motivated by a profound curiosity , I embarked on a quest to comprehend how the social, cultural, linguistic, religious, spiritual, psychological, and medical needs of older individuals, (kaumatua) were met. My focus was on whether their unique preferences and requirements, vital for respecting their identity, culture, and diversity, were truly comprehended and catered to, particularly for Maori and indigenous Australians. This research holds immense significance in understanding and addressing the unique needs of older individuals in indigenous communities.

An Indigenous Perspective

Indigenous societies perceive dementia in a way that transcends the medical view. They view it as part of a broader well-being context encompassing spiritual, mental, physical, and community health. This perspective significantly alters our understanding of symptoms and the provision of care.
In Indigenous Māori communities, dementia is not just a personal struggle; it also reshapes the traditional roles within the whānau, altering family dynamics and responsibilities. The preservation of a person’s mana (respect, power) is crucial through their care and support, highlighting the profound impact of dementia on Indigenous communities.

In Aboriginal Australian communities, the experience of dementia is intricately woven into their deep connection to ‘country’, a term that refers to more than just the physical land but also the spiritual and cultural connection to their ancestral lands. The continuity of cultural and community duties is deeply tied to this connection. The initial signs of dementia often manifest as a person’s disconnection from their land and relatives.

This underscores the need for culturally sensitive care methods to reinforce these vital bonds. By incorporating these diverse perspectives, we can develop respectful, beneficial care strategies that are shaped by each group’s social and cultural norms.

Empowering Self

My recent completion of a Cert IV in Ageing Support has not only provided me with invaluable knowledge and skills but also allowed me to apply them in real-world scenarios. From empowering older individuals to assisting those with dementia, and providing care services with a palliative approach, I have been able to put my learning into practice. This practical experience, coupled with the theoretical understanding gained from completing a Diploma in Dementia Care, has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the field.

The prospect of embarking on a Bachelor’s degree in Dementia Care fills me with not just excitement, but also a strong sense of ambition. This degree represents a significant step in my personal growth and professional development, offering advanced skills in care management, research, and policy development, just to name a few.

I am eager to seize this opportunity to broaden my knowledge and scope of practice in supporting people living with dementia and their carers, and to make a significant contribution to the field.