For many years, I have been saying that people with dementia should be paid just like everyone else. After all, there is big money in dementia, and this particular industry is getting bigger. And it often still seems to be more about Purse Centred Care than Person Centred Care. People with dementa are living with…
It’s no different for people with dementia. Except the effort has not been put into understanding the similarities. If people with dementia are to be blamed for their normal human responses, then it’s time everyone else is too. BPSC-19 has basically proven people with dementia are not much different to anyone else when faced with…
Recently I received an email inviting me to become involved in a new organisation, and also to endorse it. Although I was sent the final Call To Action, and a list of the founding members, I didn’t feel I had enough infomation to do either, without a conversation. When I met with this person, I…
Yesterday Ms. Ita Buttrose, the current Chair of the ABC in Australia, and an Ambassador and a past President of Dementia Australia gave a key note presentation at a Symposium hosted by DA. In the Q&A after her speech, she responded to one mildly defensive comment that there are ‘good aged care providers’, by saying…
Two years ago I published a series of blogs focused on the need to rethink dementia care, to reframe dementia entirely, on dementia as a major cause of disability, but most especially on the need to ban BPSD (Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia). The Coronavirus pandemic has almost proven BPSD is a false construct,…
A sense of loneliness So deep It takes my breath away Reminding me of those departed Lingering inside my heart Lost to the stigma of dementia Tales of despair Whisperings of days gone by Deteriorating abilities Sadness Sitting just inside my soul Yearning for myself Kate Swaffer 2014
Blogging helps me to capture moments and memories, and has become my personal history file, by way of words and stories embodying feelings and emotions. Blogging to capture my memories and thoughts has now become a significant tool in managing my response to dementia, and something I try to do often. Speaking out through blogging,…
Dementia and me What the hell happened to my braindiagnosed with dementia when I was much too youngmy children still at schoola deadly terminal disease effectingmemory, thinking, perception, judgment, language and speech But worse than that, effecting mylife, family, friendships, my sense of self, my identityand a bucket load of guilttruckloads of stigma discrimination and…
It was recently Father’s Day in Australia, which for me, is possibly the the equal worst day of the year. For those of us who’s parents are or were abusive, it is not a great day. It actually hurts when the loving relationships are so publicly highlighted as if all relationships between children and parents…
During Dementia Awareness Month 2020, I’ve been publishing a blog every day, and trying to cover some different topics. Some are quite contentious, but I believe need to be talked about. The status quo in advocacy is driving me a little crazy… Anyway my daily blogging is unlikely to make a difference, but it at…
“Dementia care is caring for people Who often do not know they need care, And don’t want to be in care; No wonder they may become angry and upset.” Author: Kate Swaffer © 2012 #BanBPSD Also published in: Love Life Loss, A roller-coaster of poetry (2012) Graphic Print Group, Richmond, SA and “What the hell…
Following on from a recent blog about Dementia Risk Reduction, I received the comment below, which is being highlighted today, as this is such an important issue. I understand the necessity from a personal and public health strategy perpective for us to engage in risk reduction strategies. I also understand that we humans don’t always…
It is day 4 of Dementia Awareness Month (in Australia!) #DAM2020, and I thought it might be useful to focus on the factors that researchers now know reduce the risk of getting dementia today. The one ‘risk’ of doing this, is that people with dementia may start to be blamed for getting dementia, and this…
It is Day 3 of Dementia Awareness Month here, #DAM2020 and my blog is a recording of a presentation given by Assoc/Professor Lee-Fay Low on 15 August 2019. Lee-Fay is a friend and colleague helping to reframe dementia. I only saw the recording recently, and it’s given me much to think about, and to do!…
Apologies this post was accidentally published yesterday, when is was meant for today, day 2 of #DAM2020! Arrgghhhh! It is easy to hit the wrong button! Anyway, onto much more important things. The need for everyone to rethink dementia continues to be highlighted in the many stories of neglect, abuse, restraint and deaths in Residential…
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