I’ve written many time about BPSD or ‘challenging behaviours’ as well as what I have termed BPSC-19, but the comparison may not be obvious to everyone. Hence, for day 27 of Dementia Awareness Month in 2020, I decided to list the ‘symptons’ of each here. If we check out the two lists we could be…
An article published in April 2019 Language paradigms when behaviour changes with dementia: #BanBPSD, rather ironically helps explain to me why we need to ban the contruct known as the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), and not just change the name. I’m doubtful that was the intention of the authors… Over the last…
You may not believe it, or see it, but people with dementia are still being Prescribed Disengagement®, and only supported to die, rather than to live positively. You may not believe it, but if you have a stroke, you will recieve rehabilitation, whereas if you are diagnosed with dementia, you won’t. You may not believe…
There are more than 50 million people living with dementia and a new diagnosis somewhere in the world every 3.2 seconds (WHO). I am one of them. Since my own diagnosis 12 years ago, I went from the depths of despair and hopelessness after being diagnosed, primarily caused by the Prescribed Disengagement®, to becoming a…
On July 1, 2012, I published a blog titled Dr Martin Luther King Jr asked ‘Is it right?” which I have added below, with a few edits or comments made in pink. It is interesting to me to read it again, and for a change, I still agree with most things I wrote back then.…
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…
We are well over half way through Dementia Awareness Month, and I’m tired, but continuing with my daily blog series, in an effort to create new thinking, and discussion. Some of the topics I’ve chosen are difficult to write about, like this one,. They may even cause offence to others, including causing dissent amongst some…
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…
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…
A sense of loneliness So deep It takes my breath away Reminding me of those departed Lingering inside my heart Lost to the stigma of dementia Tales of despair Whisperings of days gone by Deteriorating abilities Sadness Sitting just inside my soul Yearning for myself Kate Swaffer 2014
“Dementia care is caring for people Who often do not know they need care, And don’t want to be in care; No wonder they may become angry and upset.” Author: Kate Swaffer © 2012 #BanBPSD Also published in: Love Life Loss, A roller-coaster of poetry (2012) Graphic Print Group, Richmond, SA and “What the hell…
Following on from a recent blog about Dementia Risk Reduction, I received the comment below, which is being highlighted today, as this is such an important issue. I understand the necessity from a personal and public health strategy perpective for us to engage in risk reduction strategies. I also understand that we humans don’t always…
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…
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