Once again, I have committed to post a daily blog in September, my feeble attempt at a contribution to Dementia Awareness Month, even though I am under no illusions of the value of doing so. Todays is about not giving up. Those of you who have read my blogs this month will know I have…
On Day 21 of Dementia Awareness Month 2020, which is also referred to as World Alzheimer’s Day, I wanted to change the pace here, with something positive. There is a real flurry of activity going on all around the world today, with events, webinars and conferences, many campagins in progress, and reports or survey findings…
It’s day 19 of Dementia Awareness Month in 2020, and although I started out this month, thinking that for my usual September daily blog series I would kickstart the #BanBPSD campaign again, I have strayed. That is because there are too many other things I believe are just as important, and even urgent, for me…
In the last year or so, many people with and without dementia have started to document the history of what they perceive as dementia advocacy and/or activism. It almost feels like it is being done, as if to justify that the last more than two decades of advocacy have been worth it, and so I…
Recently I was interviewed by Bec Hogan, who is the Deputy Chair of 3C Management and is creating a social change project with the ‘Dementia Heroes Month’ Initiative. Bec is an Aged Care Consultant in Consumer Engagement Strategy & Creative Digital Content, and this series of podcasts runs throughout September, highlighting people she refers to…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
An Australian organisation called Beyond Blue which is focused on supporting mental health said in a recent article it: “Recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern (BPSC-19) many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and offers some advice on how to look after your wellbeing.” Beyond Blue is…
It feels important to (re) acknowledge the challenging nature of these times and I do sincerely hope you are all safe and well. I also want to thank those who have reached out to me at this time of deep grief, here, on social media and by phoning me or calling in. Words do not…
