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,…
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…
It is day 1 (in Australia) of World Alzheimer’s Month, which many of us prefer to call Dementia Awareness Month #DAM2020 to help prevent people with a dementia other than Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) feel excluded by the campaign. It’s been a long haul emotionally and physically lately, with many personal stresses, and a recent major…
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…
As the time to provide a submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety draws to a close, I remain deeply concerned nothing will change, in spite of the more than 8000 submissions, millions of dollars spent on the Royal Commission, and any likely outcomes or ‘recommendatons’. Historically, the Australian government chooses to…
Ending confinement and segregation: barriers to realising human rights in the everyday lives of people living with dementia in residential aged care. This article was published on 25 Jun 2020, in the Australian Journal of Human Rights, by Linda Steele , Kate Swaffer , Ray Carr, Lyn Phillipson & Richard Fleming. Abstract: Human rights are increasingly being considered in Australian law reform…
Journal article by Linda Steele, Ray Carr, Kate Swaffer, Lyn Phillipson, and Richard Fleming, published 18 June 2020 in Health and Human Rights Abstract: This paper responds to growing concerns in human rights practice and scholarship about the confinement of people living with dementia in care homes. Moving beyond the existing focus in human rights…
It is not too late to register for this important DAI Webinar, being held tomorrow, presented by Dr Linda Steele, BA, MPIL, PhD and Bobby Redman, BA, MA. Wednesday, May 27, 2020 (USA/CA/UK/EU) Thursday, May 28, 2020 (AU/NZ/JP/SGP/TWN) Please note: it is one event, set in a number of different time zones. About the Webinar: Dr Steele…
During this Coronavirus pandemic throughout the last 9 weeks, it has been both interesting and encouraging to see how we, as a community have all done our best to adapt to this time of dramatic change due to the enforced isolation and social and physical distancing. It really does show just how resilient and resourceful…
Yesterday, I wrote a blog about the reality of many people with dementia, who are also people with acquired disabilities. They [we] are facing the same issues that everyone is now facing due to COVID-19, but since diagnosis. On social media, what was picked up was not this issue, but instead, the challenges of people…
When I woke up today, I had received an email from a friend and colleague at HRW who has done a lot of work on rights for people living in nursing homes. She alerted me to Sophie Morgan, whose blogs and work I have found to be inspiring; her experience at this time resonates with…
Firstly, as we all face the current healthcare crisis, I acknowledge the challenging nature of these times and hope you are all safe and well. I suggest we phone our family and friends, and if that’s difficult, then consider writing a letter or sending a card. I love receiving letters and cards… I’m staying off…
For many years I have been highlighting the fact that staff shovelling poo in a zoo usually earn a higher hourly pay rate than nursing home care workers, and that the care in a zoo is likely to be of a higher standard. Most people melt with love at videos of cute animals, and are…
The onslaught of neoliberalism, austerity measures and cuts, impact of climate change, protracted conflicts and ongoing refugee crisis, rise of far right and populist movements have all negatively impacted on disability. Yet, disabled people and their allies are fighting back and we urgently need to understand how, where and what they are doing, what they…
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