Listening for understanding
December 2023 | Being connected
Communicating is not easy at times, and that's when dementia is not even on the radar.
Disagreements, confusion, clumsy expression are all ways our ability to communicate can be compromised. But communication is a two-way street. It takes more than our own 'words' to be effective. It takes the ability of someone to not only 'hear' the words, but the ability to listen and understand.
Disagreements, confusion, clumsy expression are all ways our ability to communicate can be compromised. But communication is a two-way street. It takes more than our own 'words' to be effective. It takes the ability of someone to not only 'hear' the words, but the ability to listen and understand.
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Read More…Keeping your cool
October 2023 | Being connected
Have you ever found yourself getting frustrated with someone? I have. I became very angry with my father years ago when he was starting to display some forgetfulness. My anger wasn’t directly with him as such, but with what he had said to me. Then there is a friend of mine, with whom I can become quite cross at times.
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Read More…We live in an 'ex-presso' society
June 2023 | Being connected
It seems more and more people want the 'quick fix'.
To coin a term a friend uses, we live in an 'ex-presso' society. For him the term refers to the need for being quick, being fast - fast food, express delivery, self-service at supermarkets, petrol stations, and train stations. It's all about speed, all about lack of attentive service, all so we can speed through our lives, creating more and more stress.
When something is wrong we tend to want the 'quick fix'. No wonder mental health issues and loneliness are on the rise.
To coin a term a friend uses, we live in an 'ex-presso' society. For him the term refers to the need for being quick, being fast - fast food, express delivery, self-service at supermarkets, petrol stations, and train stations. It's all about speed, all about lack of attentive service, all so we can speed through our lives, creating more and more stress.
When something is wrong we tend to want the 'quick fix'. No wonder mental health issues and loneliness are on the rise.
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Read More…Dementia as a Pilgrimage
March 2023 | Changing dementia
"Take up your staff and follow me."
From Moses to Jesus we have been implored to pick up our staff and follow. The prophets before Jesus, then Jesus himself, urged us to bear witness. So too can any person living with an advancing dementia say, "Take up your staff and follow me."
Dementia can teach us much - all of us - those living with a condition and those not at the moment. It is not new to believe that dementia can teach us. But each person's travels will be different. Where the person living with the dementia leads will take each of us down a different, although possibly similar, path. But the lessons will be unique. So let's reframe dementia into a pilgrimage. A journey into the spiritual, where we find a connection with the Other.
From Moses to Jesus we have been implored to pick up our staff and follow. The prophets before Jesus, then Jesus himself, urged us to bear witness. So too can any person living with an advancing dementia say, "Take up your staff and follow me."
Dementia can teach us much - all of us - those living with a condition and those not at the moment. It is not new to believe that dementia can teach us. But each person's travels will be different. Where the person living with the dementia leads will take each of us down a different, although possibly similar, path. But the lessons will be unique. So let's reframe dementia into a pilgrimage. A journey into the spiritual, where we find a connection with the Other.
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Read More…New Year, New Banner
February 2023 | New starts
Welcome to a New Year, A New Start
January 2023 | New starts
It's a brand new year and I hope it is a peaceful and purposeful one for all.
As a new year brings new starts for many, you will also find the website has undergone some changes and I hope you enjoy it! Read More…
As a new year brings new starts for many, you will also find the website has undergone some changes and I hope you enjoy it! Read More…
Dementia has a snowball effect and ricochets through our relationships
December 2022 | Fractured families
Dementia does indeed ricochet throughout our relationships, and throughout the social network. It is not only the person who is living with the condition who is affected, but family and friends, work colleagues, and many others. Conflict and discord can escalate where conflict and discord may have previously been manageable. Difficulties in relationships can emerge, which can actually create a barrier to connecting with the person now living with dementia.
Sometimes familial conflict can even seem insurmountable. I speak from experience.
Sometimes familial conflict can even seem insurmountable. I speak from experience.
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Read More…The confusing thing about memory
August 2022 | Changing dementia
Memory is one of those things. Memories can be pleasant and shared experiences, if you have those around you to share such occasions with you. Yet, at the same time, memories can be different for each person who was there. Memories can also be just recollections, a memory without any particular emotional association. And memories can at times bring a smile in the moment and much joy, to then bring tears, especially if the individual or individuals are no longer with us.
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Read More…What's happening to our world?
June 2022 | Maintaining faith
With everything that is going on these days it makes me wonder just what is happening to the world. Compassion, kindness, love and respect seem to be waning. Results from the Australian National Census 2021 indicate faith is on the decrease and mental ill-health on the increase. We hear in the media of corruption, bullying, abuse. Some of us experience it first hand. So my musings have me question, is the waning of faith and the lack of understanding and compassion somehow interconnected?
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Read More…Have you ever turned your back on someone?
April 2022 | Changing dementia
During this Easter season let us continue to be mindful that we do not turn our back on someone just because he or she is different, or because of cognitive or physical abilities or disabilities. We can all be guilty, if not intentionally, then unwittingly, of denying another person's existence.
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