What is dementia? Part 2

There is no time today to write a blog, or for anything other than adding this graphic, which is also from our book, Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia released last week. Like the umbrella graphic from a couple of days ago, this does not outline every single symptom, but is an overview of what to expect…

Remembering Peter Watt (Snr)

For my series during #DAM2016 on remembering those people I have loved and who have died due to complications of any type of dementia, today I am remembering my father in law, Peter Watt (August 6, 1934 – May 29, 2012) who had Parkinson’s disease and Lewy Body Dementia. He taught me about ‘family’ love, the type…

Alzheimer’s Australia Communique 2016

Last week, I was privileged to be one of 17 people with dementia to participate in a Parliamentary Summit, alongside 44 family care partners, the CEO Carol Bennett, President Graeme Samuel and a number of staff from Alzheimer’s Australia. From the media release: “The Communique has been developed by consumers from across the country attending…

I could live here…

I am delighted to share this very short video about Group Homes Australia, the one residential dementia and aged care group home I believe I would be happy to live in… and I would also love Maria who works there, to look after me! I don’t usually so actively promote private or any businesses, but this one is…

Blog # 3 re the AFR’s lack of respect for people with dementia

This is blog #3 of mine on the continuing AFR debacle. It seems the AFR does not wish to engage in full and open conversation about their recent lapse in judgement, and obvious serious lack of respect for people with dementia. A public retraction and apology is still required. No less will be  unsatisfactory, and many others definitely agree…

“How to Become Batman” and what that has to do with dementia

Alix Spiegel (@lmillernpr) and Lulu Miller (@aspiegelnpr) from NPR Invisibilia in an Episode titled How to Become Batman, published online on Friday 23 January 2015, examine the surprising effect our expectations can have on the people around us. Plus, hear the story of a blind man who says expectations have helped him see. This is extremely relevant to the way…

Weighing up my choices

There are many days it seems impossible to make a choice about whether you are happy or sad… and we all have to face challenges, the death of a loved one, and other things that can push us into the pit of misery. I often use an old fashioned set of weighing scales as a…

#ADI2015 Day 3…

Well, it has been a frantic few days, and between the conference presentations, activities, the Dementia Alliance International stand and various meetings, it has been especially busy. On top of that, there has been a bit of a frenetic pace on social media happening as well, as we have all been trying to keep those…

Creating life with words: NaPoWriMo 2013

Call me crazy, or demented (??!!), or maybe just plain stupid, but I’ve accepted a new challenge today: 30 poems in thirty days, starting today! Well, actually I’m only one of those things, but I love new challenges, and find them inspiring, and great fun to participate in, even if I don’t complete the, and…

Voting for the Best Blog 2013 Competition

Lots of you have already voted for me… Thank you. For those who haven’t (yet??) I wanted to add some comments. The process is not as simple as some Survey Monkeys I have used as you have to go through every page clicking the NEXT button to finally get to the page where you HAVE to add…

Reactions to dementia

When a person with dementia ‘comes out’ about their diagnosis, and openly admits they are living with the symptoms of, and diagnosis of dementia, there are a number of reactions and responses. The person with dementia (PWD) is thrown into complete turmoil; anger, ‘why me?’, surely it can’t be true, let’s get a second opinion,…