The quest for a more positive public narrative about those of us diagnosed with dementia, and on attitudes about the way a person and their family might choose (and be able) to live with dementia continues. Currently, living too positively with dementia, being remotely functional, and even having fun with it too often gets those…
Oh my. This one is definitely a mini rant!!!! What a load of bollocks to label tiredness a person with dementia might experience mid to late afternoon as ‘sundowning’. A supposed ‘clinical’ symptom of BPSD and dementia. From my experience, I know that most people feel tired mid to late afternoon, especially if they’ve been…
Image source: Kate Swaffer Recently, there has been an online discussion somewhere on Facebook (I can’t find it to refer to it) about what needs to go into what in Australia, we call “Advance Care Directives” (updated from Advanced since being indirectly corrected via twitter). I have had a legal will, and both a legal…
The following is a comment posted with a re-blog of Dr Peter Gordon’s blog, which I’m also reblogging here: “Dr Peter Gordon’s saga with the Royal College of Psychiatry UK is shocking. His treatment at the hands of these ghouls is disgraceful. These emails from the Royal College display their complete and utter contempt for…
All people with dementia and those who are supporting us are survivors, not victims. Dementia is truly one condition that tests everyone in so many different ways. Resilience and Optimism may help, but are hard to grasp or hold onto on the bad days! We need perceptions and attitudes to change and positive discourse and…
In an article from the UK, “Vulnerable dementia patients could be locked up for three years without review under ‘rushed’ government reforms”, it seems we are in for an even bigger battle for a rights based approach than we thought! It’s very concerning human rights don’t apply to us all. This is an excerpt from…
“FIVE YEARS ON: WHY DAI? WHERE HAVE WE BEEN” WHERE ARE WE GOING?” With a new diagnosis of dementia every 3 seconds, it is not surprising that DAI has continued to grow since its launch five years ago. John Sandblom and I are both presenting, and are two of the eight co-founders. We are co…
The short Vimeo I am posting below today was made by a friend and colleague in Scotland, which I found to be incredibly profound. For me, it spoke mostly about truth. But it also speaks about lies and deception, and arrogance and the lack of scrutiny. As I have become what others often tell me…
I subscribe to many newsletters, possibly too many, but it is easy to delete them if they are of no interest. This one came in today from the National Institute on Aging at the NIH, and as I am about to embark on a more disciplined exercise regime again, I thought it was useful. One…
What a day. It started with a webinar I was involved in, needing me to get up at 4am. After that, and two online peer-to-peer support groups, I was interviewed again by Spence Denny (2nd time this week), to comment on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. I spoke about Human Rights being…
The last few months, I have noticed a lot of changes in my physical and cognitive health, and have watched on as so many others are struggling with worsening or new health issues, or facing difficult personal challenges. It is worrying, and on some days, it would be so easy to give up not only…
Tracey Maxfield wrote an excellent short post some time ago now about Betrayal Trauma on her LinkedIn page, which I then shared in a short post on Facebook. It was too important and relevant to so many of us living with (and without) dementia not to start a blog about it and quote her here, It…
I posted this image and quote on Facebook yesterday, and received this inspiring response: “Do you know? You have just inspired me to put a $1 a day away for our local farm animal sanctuary (Greener Pastures in Waroona WA) I think $365 on the 5th of january 2020 would buy lots of weetbix for…
The last few weeks I’ve been watching on the sidelines as numerous people with dementia have been abandoned, and even abused by their families or a partner. It’s truly disturbing to watch, and I fully understand the pain and impact of this on worsening a persons dementia symptoms, as have had it happen to me.…
As 2018 comes to an end, I do wonder what’s in store for us all in 2019. Most of all, I thank everyone who reads my blog, or who is working to improve the lives of people with dementia and our families and friends. I really wish for more kindness, more tolerance and more acceptance…
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