Going out on a limb…

I’ve been trying to post more regular boots for World Alzheimer’s Month 2016, and felt it appropriate today to would share one that may be mildly contentious. If it is something I believe needs to be said, then one way or another, I usually get around to saying it; I thought I’d take a risk just for Friday, which is often referred…

The impact of false hope

For my continuing series of World Alzheimer’s Month / Dementia Awareness Month 2016 #WAM2016 #DAM2016 blogs, the post today is about the impact of hearing and reading about possible cures, and failed research. Members of Dementia Alliance International, and the much wider community of people with dementia and our families, are constantly being bombarded with this or that…

Kiama wins WHO Award

To make a change from my blogs of remembrance, I thought I’d focus on the Kiama Dementia Friendly Community Pilot Project in my attempt to post daily blogs for #WAM2016 #DAM2016. Yes, I know yesterday one did not arrive, but I accidentally posted two on Sunday! To say Kiama has ‘done it again Sam!’ is…

Coming soon: “Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia”

Well… coming, but perhaps not soon enough! We were promised this would be ready for Dementia Awareness Month, and yes, I suppose it will we, but not until the 15th at least , so disappointing not to be able to tell you it is available now when we are four days into the month. Even the websites…

Alzheimer’s Australia survey: tell us about your social connections and contact with family

With permission from Alzheimer’s Australia, I am sharing their latest survey: This year for Dementia Awareness Month we are asking you to tell us about your social connections and contact with family. Please take our anonymous survey by clicking here.https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DAM2016 It will only take 3-4 minutes. We will publish these results in September, 2016 to raise…

What people with dementia want from residential care homes

I was recently published in the Australian Journal of Dementia Care (AJDC), and my article has been republished the Aged Care Report Card this week as well. You can read the full article, What people with dementia want from residential care homes, where I explain what people with dementia have said they want from residential care, based on my own experience…

Getting along when you have dementia

How do people, who are living with the symptoms of dementia and which is causing increasing cognitive disabilities, including memory loss, reduced cognitive abilities and changing emotions and behavioural responses, work together cohesively and without getting upset occasionally? One of the things I hear over and over again from this supporting someone with dementia, relates…

UOW Media Release: First Dementia Enabling University

See the Media  Release below from the University of Wollongong,  by Elise Pitt. I am thrilled to be a part of this innovative and exciting project.  Equipping students with the skills needed to manage dementia  “Pilot project to help the next generation of professionals tackle the growing issue of dementia in Australia.    A pilot project…