I’ve been working on this article since before May 2017, but wanting to get it published as a response to the WHO The Global Plan of Action on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025 (Global Dementia Action Plan). This plan was unanimously adopted at the World Health Assembly in Geneva in May 2017, and at that time, only 29 governments out of the 194 WHO member states had a plan or policies specifically addressing the impact of dementia in their country.
2017 was a challenging year, rather an understatement, and hence I kept missing the AJDC deadlines to submit it along the way, so instead of it being released soon after the WHA, it has only recently been published in the Australian Journal of Dementia Care, and due to the interest in it, the AJDC has made it available online. It was originally published in AJDC February March 2018 Vol 7 No 1.
Yes and yes and yes! Yet we know how governments pay lip service to UN Conventions. I want to see a national action plan with outcomes, indicators and real budget commitments. Hugs dear Kate.
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Absolutely… I hope I made some sense today re rights? X
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O my lordy yes! Both Commissioners were “at attention”. Briggs in particular is onto discrimination, NDIS/Aged Care anomalies, & Tracey nods at every story of abuse in near despair. But what legislative changes they could recommend will be severely limited by the return of the Coalition. Remains to be seen if Wyatt continues & if there’s a Minister for Disabilities. “La lutte continue” ma belle. ?? xx
Best regards
Lynda Henderson
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Only time will tell sista! As always, though I’m such a realist I doubt whoever’s in government will make real change! Oh, maybe that’d make me a cynic 🤪
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Congratulations Kate and thank you for this comprehensive paper.
I find you and your work so inspiring. Some days I find it hard to even record my day into my journal and yet you find the strength to do this. Thank you again, for everything you do.
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I’m glad its been useful for you… and I’ll keep at it as long as humanly possible. X
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it’s a cracker Kate – thanks very much!
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My pleasure Susan! Was worth struggling with actually finishing it. X
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Good luck Kate and hope 2018 is a fab year for you. A bit of sad news-my Grandad had a fall on Thursday in the Bathroom and bruised his toes badly but not broken thankfully-this is his first major fall-hope no more falls. We are going to get him a walker and a wheelchair-care might be next-only time will tell what will happen next.
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Hi Sam, so sorry to hear about your grandads fall. Hope no more, and also that your solutions help and work. Take care xx
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Thank you for your lovely and very thoughtful message Kate-have had a very strenuous few days dealing with his fall etc but had a fab day today as it’s my birthday-gives you something to look forward to when live throws a curve ball huh!I hope no more too, this is his first fall and i hope the walker will help!Thanks for your support, and allowing members of the public to follow your bog-i love following your blog and i am so blessed to follwo it to-take care x💜
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Oh wow… Happy Birthday Sam! Glad you’ve had a great day xxx
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Thankyou so much Kate-had an awesome day and hope your husband is enjoying Auckland!
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Hi Kate, are you really sure you have dementia (LOL) when you are able to produce such excellent work? I’ll just have to conduct my own assessment when I’m over your way in April!
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Very funny Paul! This one took 8 months to finally complete, missing many journal deadlines along the way! See you soon for that real hug too! X
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You betcha not long to go now.
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Thanks for all your great work Kate and sobering thoughts in your paper. During reading I wanted to jump for joy for how far you have come and then have the realisation of how far there still is to go to have positive change. You have pushed this barrow admirably, thanks for your bravery and for sometimes being a lone voice to encourage others to listen and have a deeper understanding of how it really feels to live with dementia. Every journey must begin with a single step so thanks for taking it. I almost chocked on my coffee when I read the comment about why a National Dementia Plan had no mention of human rights in it because of a word count. Can’t believe that someone could think that was an ok reasons let alone say those words to you, would have loved to been a fly on the wall when you heard that, can’t begin to imagine your frustration and agree 100% that Human rights must come before word counts? People with dementia like my mum and her family have undisputed rights to better care, and when will others realise it must therefore be reflected in national dementia plans. Your voice can be your greatest tool Kate, ‘we must strive to find our/your voice, because the longer we wait to begin the less likely we are to find it.’ With gratitude and love Ness xx
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Thanks Ness, hugs to you all up there too. Love receiving those beautiful photos too. X
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Hi Kate,
Congratulations, fantastic news. I am just about to submit a paper myself which notes DAI and ADI’s advocacy at the WHO, and it will be great to be able to reference your published work here as well. Thanks for your efforts to get this into print.
All the best,
Craig
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Thanks Craig, I look forward reading your paper too! Keep me posted! Best wishes, Kate
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