It is normal for some relationships to deteriorate into power struggles over who is right and who is wrong, but it does not seem so okay when it is power struggles and egos of people without dementia who don’t appear to want people with dementia to stand on their own two feet. In my thinking…
Yearning for university Almost from my first day at school Nursing came long instead Long before that became a degree Like an escape And still no university for me And in spite of this Many other things were achieved and accomplished Life now with dementia, and Incredibly, university has become part of my life At least for…
There has been an ongoing debate in the dementia community about language, now for many years, and even though there are ‘dementia language guidelines’, I have regularly been told by researchers, universities, service providers and others without dementia, “but we don’t have to use them, they are after all, only guidelines!” Family care partners often…
Jessica Kingsley Publishers in the UK sent me a few questions to answer about what is was like when first diagnosed with dementia, how dementia has impacted my life and family, and on living beyond dementia, continuing to study and much more… you can hear my response here. My book “What the hell happened to…
The brief online introduction on The Book Depository says: “Kate Swaffer was just 49 years old when she was diagnosed with a form of younger onset dementia. In this book, she offers an all-too-rare first-hand insight into that experience, sounding a clarion call for change in how we ensure a better quality of life for…
Passionate speech by indigenous journalist Stan Grant on being Australian. This is compelling viewing, and every Australian should watch it. On Australia Day, it is even more significant and important, as for many Indigenous Australians, they see little reason to be celebrating…
There was a time when my house was immaculate, the pillowslips AND the sheets were ironed, and in fact, ironing as a topic here has been a bit hit in the past! Everything in the cupboards were aligned, all clothing in the wardrobe and drawers were ironed perfectly and in neat piles, or hanging with matching coat…
I wrote the following about grief on Facebook recently, and feel that grief can be the biggest, sometimes the darkest times of our lives, and yet, very often the most beautiful part as well. “Grief is that devastatingly painful but incredible and beautiful expression of your love … It’s ok and it’s yours and don’t let anyone…
Life Is for living For dreaming And for learning Life Is for crying For healing And for moving on Life Is for remembering Sweet times And for family and friends Life With fading memories Is a roller coaster of loss and grief Life With dementia Can still be fun
Many other authors have advised me never to read a review of my book as it can be hurtful when they are negative, However, I have gotten used to so much criticism here, and even hatred and vitriol on Facebook (last year, which is now over thanks to the ability to block the offenders) I…
I have made a voice recording to introduce my book for it’s release today, and have added the file and the notes here. Hi this is Kate Swaffer from Adelaide in Australia here, speaking to you on the day my first dementia book comes out. Although I’ve not yet seen a physical copy of…
Well, today is actually the day! My book on living beyond dementia is officially released, although, as yet I have not even seen a copy; it is only a very few lucky people in the UK have actually seen it. So, when (if) I get a copy, I’ll take a photo and add it here! It’s been…
The 7th Annual National Dementia Conference will take place on 21-22 March 2016 at the Novotel Brisbane, and is proudly supported by Alzheimer’s Australia, the Australia Journal of Dementia Care, the Australian Pain Society and the Joanna Briggs Institute. Day 2 of this conference, which I was a delighted to be a key-note speaker at…
Write for between 10 minutes – 5 hours Every single day Bar for one regular day off each week The time you choose only depicts one thing How long it will take you to write a book Turn it into an online blog A blog, with followers is what keeps you writing It makes it a…
It may not be true everywhere in the world just now, but here in Australia where I live, the sun is almost always shining, even in winter. It may be too hot some of the time, but the beauty and radiance of our clear blue skies and sunshine always helps one to feel like getting out of bed…
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