The Project star and ABC Radio host reveals devastating family loss

Entertainment
By William

By Stephen Bisset for Ny Breaking Australia

Published: | Updated:

The Project star Hamish Macdonald has revealed the heartbreaking loss of his father Iain, aged 85.

The television personality, 43, took to LinkedIn on Friday to share the news, revealing that his father had succumbed to Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia on Sunday.

Hamish shared a photo of his father on stage and wrote a heartfelt but ‘objective’ tribute, following his father’s wishes.

“Dad left instructions in his will that any funeral announcement should be ‘concise, simple and free from subjective statements,’” he wrote.

‘He was 85 when he died on Sunday. A proud father and grandfather. He had been a rower, skier and pharmacist. We will miss him enormously.’

Hamish continued the tribute, saying his father’s end was “peaceful” despite the ravages of his condition.

‘Dad found the loss of independence that came with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body dementia really difficult, but in the end he was at peace, surrounded by family.

He received excellent care in the aged care system from carers, nurses and doctors who offered him both respect and dignity until his final hour. We thank them.

The Project star Hamish Macdonald has revealed the heartbreaking loss of his father Iain, aged 85, after succumbing to Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body dementia

He closed the tribute with a loving: ‘Love you Grumble Bum x.’

A host of Hamish’s broadcasting colleagues quickly offered their condolences, including Channel 10 news presenter Sandra Sully.

‘A big hug to you Hamish. It’s all so sad when you lose a parent,” Sandra wrote.

ABC stalwart Geraldine Doogue and co-host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming with Hamish, also offered a kind word, writing: “Yes, Hamish peas-in-a-pod, that’s for sure. In my opinion, you have certainly supported him in an exemplary manner. I’m fine without him.’

Hamish shared a photo of his father on Linkedin on Friday and wrote a heartfelt but 'objective' tribute, as per his father's wishes

Hamish shared a photo of his father on Linkedin on Friday and wrote a heartfelt but ‘objective’ tribute, as per his father’s wishes

According to Dementia AustraliaLewy body dementia is an umbrella term that describes two forms of dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and dementia in Parkinson’s disease.

Lewy body dementia causes changes in a patient’s thinking, movement, behavior and body functions.

A Lewy body is a small tangle of proteins called alpha-synuclein in brain cells. These confused proteins cause damage that affects movement, thinking and behavior.

'Dad left instructions in his will that any funeral announcement 'must be concise, simple and free from subjective statements"' he wrote

“Dad left instructions in his will that any funeral announcement should be ‘concise, simple and free from subjective statements,’” he wrote.

In 2024, the former host of ABC’s Q&A joined dementia patient and fellow journalist Jim Rogers to host the podcast Dementia Australia Hold the moment.

Speak with Hello Care Speaking about the podcast, Hamish said he was impressed by the people he met through the project who were living with dementia.

“As a journalist I have met many people with dementia, but this all hit close to home a few years ago when my father was diagnosed with dementia,” Hamish said.

‘The stories shared by all people affected by dementia will help break down barriers that discourage people from seeking help and reduce the impact of social isolation.

‘Receiving news of a diagnosis is huge and every step of this project I have been in awe of all the people with dementia who are willing to share their often intensely personal experiences to help others.’

WHAT IS LEWY BODY DEMENTIA?

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the most common form of degenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

It is the form that Robin Williams was diagnosed with before he committed suicide in 2014.

Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, LBD affects the areas of the brain responsible for vision, as opposed to memory.

That means patients may start out with memory loss, but over time the more disabling symptoms will include powerful hallucinations, nightmares and problems with spatial awareness.

LBD is closely linked to Parkinson’s disease, which means that many patients will also develop Parkinson’s disease, as happened with Robin Williams.

SYMPTOMS:

The most common symptoms include:

  • Impaired thinking, such as loss of executive function (planning, processing information), memory, or the ability to understand visual information.
  • Fluctuations in cognition, attention or alertness;
  • Movement problems, including tremors, stiffness, slowness and difficulty walking
  • Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there)
  • Sleep disorders, such as acting out dreams during sleep
  • Behavioral and mood symptoms, including depression, apathy, anxiety, agitation, delusions, or paranoia
  • Changes in autonomic body functions, such as blood pressure control, temperature regulation, and bladder and bowel function.

HOW IT STARTS:

Many patients will first develop Parkinson’s disease and suffer from physical disabilities before doctors diagnose dementia. That’s what happened to the late actor Robin Williams.

Some start with memory loss that can be confused with the more common Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, they will develop symptoms more clearly related to LBD.

WHAT CAUSES IT:

No cause is known. What we do know is that the risk increases with age.

At the cellular level, LBD is characterized by small clumps of abnormal proteins produced by the brain when the cells do not function properly.

They cause memory problems, although these are usually not as severe as Alzheimer’s disease, which is related to a build-up of the protein beta-amyloid.

Another key difference is that Lewy body dementia affects the areas of the brain responsible for vision, causing powerful hallucinations, nightmares and problems with spatial awareness.

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