This presentation was one I took very seriously. There was 200 Doctors, Nurses and Medical Professionals in the room. The Conference was all about getting the 3 health networks from SA together to share information.
My presentation is 11 minutes long and there is a small glitch at 3.09 secs into the video where an incoming call stopped the recording. (Only 10 seconds was missed).
I felt privileged to be able to deliver this presentation on behalf of the families and also people with dementia. Lets hope the messages get through. (fingers crossed)
Thank you also to Ian Gladstone for his terrific presentation which had the crowd roaring with laughter. Can’t wait to interview him next weekend. Bravo
Grab a coffee and a couple of Tim Tams as you prepare to listen to Linda Booth open her world to us. Linda simply ‘keeps things real…’.
Upon hearing the interview back I realized how many valuable tips and scenarios Linda actually mentioned.
Linda’s story has a ‘little bit of everything’ and in true Dutch style she refuses to ‘sugar-coat’ issues. I feel privileged to hear her talk about her thoughts and feelings at times of great stress. This interview has some nerves at the start and gets better and better with a very confronting final story.
So sit back and relax and get ready for
‘The Drama Queen with a Caring Heart’….Linda Booth
*Thanks to Zak Partington for voiceover, editing and technical assistance
A CHARITY worker, teacher, school student and consumer adviser at the Royal Adelaide Hospital are the 2018 SA Pride of Australia winners.
The inspiring community-minded quartet are the stand out choices from dozens of nominations for the popular News Corp awards, devised 14 years ago to celebrate the spirit of those doing extraordinary things to help or save others.
Charity worker Rachael Zaltron founded Backpacks4SAKids in 2014 in memory of a friend who died before her dream of becoming a foster carer came true.
The charity transforms lives by providing assistance to children in care, homeless youth and families starting again after domestic violence incidents.
WINNERS: Harriette Rogers, 9, with Brett Partington, left, Steven Cameron, and Rachael Zaltron.Picture: DYLAN COKER
Ms Zaltron is one of two full-time employees, alongside 200 volunteers, who distribute more than 2500 backpacks annually.
“It’s the first award we’ve won so it’s very special,” the Ridgehaven resident said at the medal presentation at Keith Murdoch House yesterday. “It’s such an honour and an amazing acknowledgment of all the work our team have done.”
Harriette Rogers, 9, is keen to get her medal back to Seymour College to show her classmates, who supported her growing her hair long so it could be cut off and used to make wigs for children who had lost their hair to cancer.
After two years, 35cm needed to be trimmed.
“I’m thinking of doing it again but mum’s not too excited at the prospect of all the knots,” she said.
From Stirling, Harriette is organising a bike ride fund raiser to help add to the $3200 she has already raised for Canteen, a charity supporting children with cancer.
Brett Partington, a consumer adviser who started an online support group for families dealing with dementia, with more than 1200 members, paid tribute to his family, including mum Jan and sister Jane.
“When Dad (Bob) was diagnosed we were like the Brady Bunch … we gathered up and gave each other support,” the Woodside resident said. “We’ve been through hell but hoping to help others through this journey now.”
In response to family struggles with his father’s 10 year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Brett founded online support group ‘Dementia Downunder’ – backed by professionals – that helps Australian families dealing with dementia.
Steven Cameron, who founded the Australian Association for Men in early Childhood Education, was humbled by the support of staff at the Kidman Park’s Barbara Kiker Memorial Kindergarten who nominated him.
“Knowing they thought that much of me was special enough and winning a medal was not in mind,” the Prospect resident said.
“It’s a very nice medal … and going to go nicely next to the Kung Fu medal I’ve got, which is not quite the same quality.”
Want to stop dementia and feel good about it in the process?
Consider joining the Memory Walk 2018.
I support this event every year and like to remember my Dad as I walk with friends and family as I walk. If you have a friend or loved one with dementia (or who has passed away) or know someone who does, you can run or walk the course to support and honour them. Please join team ‘Dementia Downunder’ and we can walk as a big group. We have some dogs walking as well and they are very welcome. It is a great day to get some fresh air and some exercise anyway. If you prefer to make a donation and not attend that is really special as well. Please click the link below:
I wanted to share a ‘magical moment’ in the nursing home yesterday. I was rounding up men for Men’s Group in the large communal room where the residents were watching none other than ‘Andre Rieu- Live in Melbourne’ DVD.
I walked past a tiny older lady who was sitting in front of the tv, and noticed she had a ‘twinkle in her eye’. She summonsed me over with her index finger. I bent down to say ‘hello’ when she cheekily blurted out “Let’s just say ..You are all mine sweetheart… and I would be most honoured if you could take me for a dance?”
I replied… “ Sure …it would be an honour to waltz with you ‘..
I reached out to her very formally and we began to waltz in front of the other residents. We did this for about 2 minutes, and the smile on her face was priceless. After our waltz I put her arm inside my arm and I formally accompanied her back to her chair.
As I lead her back she said to me “ Why thank you kind sir for the dance… it was indeed an honour, and most enjoyable”.
It certainly made me smile but as she was about to sit down another lady started to get up out of her chair. My dance partner then pushed the other lady in the chest knocking her back into her chair.
She then hissed at the lady … “BACK OFF!…. He’s all mine!”..
Welcome to the innovative new podcast series that delves into the highs and lows of caring for people of all ages who are battling dementia.
Tune in to me chatting with everyday Australians as they navigate the ever changing landscape of dementia.
I will be talking with family caregivers, paid carers, nurses, doctors, dementia trainers & people with dementia. Each person will have a unique and different story to tell as they candidly discuss all things dementia.
Why do a podcast? …
To give people an inside look into the lives of Australians from all walks of life impacted by dementia across ‘tell all’ 30 minute segments. You will be able to click on a link and play each interview at your leisure. All podcasts will be placed on the Dementia Downunder (DD) website for easy reference under the ‘podcast’ tab.
What is different about the podcasts?
They allow the ‘real stories’ behind dementia to come to the surface. There is so much stigma associated with dementia and these podcasts will weave across many relevant topics and even dip into some ‘taboo’ topics and traditional ‘no-go zones’. The interview format is really informal and is pretty much a couch chat over a coffee.
Conversations are recorded at our Woodside Studio and are a great way to discover how to positively overcome the challenges facing Australian families.You can even listen to them as you drive to or from work.
SUBSCRIBE NOW! – To receive the first podcast in your ‘inbox’ when released in late January.
Anger is an emotion that stirs up individuals, it negatively impacts on your body, and can even lead onto medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and anxiety to name a few. Anger can bring out the worst in people and can often cause them to do or say things they normally wouldn’t.
Dementia is tough as each person with dementia is completely unique from the next with individual symptoms and behaviours. Our carers, nurses and medical practioners may sometimes not know enough about the real impact of the condition, which can be both frustrating and make our blood boil. They are doing their best but sometimes the family or care giver is in the best position to truly understand the impact of dementia on that person and those around them.
Add on stresses such as looking out for danger 24/7, being potentially humiliated in public, tiredness and being over whelmed in general this is a really tough gig. So when ‘anger’ comes along, we often react in a way that can be rude, short, aggressive, childish or downright nasty. If we are resorting to name calling and using social media to discredit people we simply need to look in the mirror and take stock of what we are hoping to achieve? While we are getting angry with the world the person with dementia has lost their care. Worse still, if the anger is playing out in front of a person with dementia (eg telling off someone caring for them) you may be indirectly distressing them, or making them feel scared. This is not a good outcome.
I am in certainly no position to tell others how to run their lives but I would like to offer some suggestions to reduce anger in your life and perhaps be more aware of its impact when caring for someone with dementia. Of course, we have to protect our loved ones and advocate for them at every opportunity, but we also have to reach positive solutions for them which may be better obtained by well written letters, calm and measured meetings, and an emphasis on factual information and the impact on all those concerned.
I thought about how anger makes me feel when I have ‘unloaded’ on a person. Whilst I might feel an instant relief I have expelled some venom, afterwards I feel guilty, embarrassed, and remorseful, and sometimes those angry words simply can’t be taken back. Anger can damage relationships even to the point of permanently. In hindsight …..Is that verbal tirade really worth it? (certainly something to ponder)
SOME TIPS FOR REDUCING ANGER:
1. BREATHE
When you are worked up take some big deep breaths and try and slow your breathing down. This will give you time to think and allow you to make calmer and more rational decisions.
2. WRITE YOUR THOUGHTS DOWN
Be as angry as you like and write all your emotions down on paper. This is the time to rant, rave and express those emotions. But don’t send it!!….
Vent your anger into the paper. When you have calmed down you can always review what you have written and look at the problem with ‘fresh eyes’.
Never send your initial thoughts out onto social media (eg Dementia Downunder) – remember you are talking with up to 1100 people at that time and many of them are doing things tough or have their own issues, they may have dementia themselves, or may see things differently to you. Try and put a positive spin or a potential solution up when discussing difficult subjects.
3. PUT YOURSELF IN THE OTHER PERSON’S SHOES
When angry always try and see the same situation from the other person’s perspective. Look at the incident from many different angles and be wary that other people may be following rules or regulations as part of their job. This will give you balance and empathy when discussing things.
4. WALK AWAY
If things are becoming heated politely excuse yourself and walk away. Give yourself time to calm down and think calmly. It is best to re-schedule a meeting than have a public ‘arguing match’ in the middle of a nursing home or hospital. It could be negatively impacting on patients, residents, family members and others.
I received an email today advising me that I have been nominated for a ‘2018 Pride of Australia’ medal. I am really humbled to be nominated, and do not have a clue who kindly put me forward?
Personal accolades is not what I am about, but I do feel privileged as I get so much happiness from making a person with dementia smile. I love it when we find a new way to allow a person with dementia to engage in an activity that others may have thought was not possible.
These people matter….every single one of them! We just need to tap into them and bring out the amazing memories and wisdom that may be locked away.
There is still a mountain of work to be done and I will never give up. I want people with dementia to be given the highest priority, with the best available care, and the most dignity possible.
So I just want to sincerely say “thank you” to the person who nominated me, and if I am successful I will certainly take the opportunity to talk about dementia and create as much awareness as I can.
PS – Late breaking news – I have just been advised that I have now made the finals!…fingers crossed.
I am really proud about reaching 1000 members for Dementia Downunder. It shows that ‘DD’ is a valuable resource required in the community to help families and carers impacted by Dementia.
When I started ‘DD’ 3 years ago I remember thinking to myself “I wonder how many people could benefit from this?”…..Little did I know how many … and how much I would personally change and positively grow as a person! It also enabled me to have an even more amazing relationship with my Dad ( we hung out more and learnt new ways to communicate).
Thank you to all of you for sharing your stories and supporting each other. I know when my dad was alive it was really therapeutic to share amongst people who were going through similar things.
Dementia care is a very involved and confusing process that is completely individual to each person. It requires carers , nurses and family members to think on their feet and advocate for the person with Dementia at every opportunity.
Dementia is different!….
I sincerely thank you for making the effort to learn more about Dementia via Dementia Downunder to ultimately provide better care.
People with Dementia are still valuable and we need to continue to adapt to them to allow themselves to feel valued and live positive and fulfilling lives.
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