Australian Kate Swaffer is a humanitarian and activist for disability rights in dementia and aged care. She's the Chair, CEO and co-founder of Dementia Alliance International, a global advocacy and support group for people living with dementia. Kate is also living with younger onset dementia, diagnosed in 2008 at age 49.

She has won many awards for her work, including the 2018 Australian 100 Women of Influence Global Leader, and the 2017 South Australia Australian of The Year. Kate is an elected board member of Alzheimer’s Disease International, and a current PhD candidate at the University of South Australia. Her first dementia book, What the Hell Happened to My Brain? Living Beyond Dementia, and her second book, Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, co-authored with Associate Professor Lee-Fay Low, were released in 2016. She has also written and published a book of poetry, Love Life Loss - A Roller Coaster of Poetry Volume 2: Days with Dementia.

Since 2010, Kate has given many keynote presentations on dementia, human rights, disAbility, discrimination, stigma, the lived experience of dementia, dementia-enabling design principles, language, Prescribed Disengagement®, Information Technology for people with dementia, dementia policy, and loss and grief.

In this episode we discuss how she managed to complete two master’s degrees and part of a PhD post diagnosis, her life as an “accidental activist,” and how to break down the wall of silence that surrounds a dementia diagnosis.

Read Kate’s AlzAuthors Post: https://alzauthors.com/2016/07/19/meet-kate-swaffer-author-of-what-the-hell-happened-to-my-brain/ 

Start reading What the Hell Happened to My Brain? now! https://amzn.to/3xuIqZG

Start reading Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another dementia now! https://amzn.to/2VtmQ9K

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Connect with Kate Swaffer

Website: https://kateswaffer.com/

Dementia Alliance: https://www.dementiaallianceinternational.org/

Blog: https://kateswaffer.com/daily-blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.swaffer

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateswaffer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KateSwaffer

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-swaffer-502a5b13/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZZQitZb0pttEpGxNLwldjg

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

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Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.

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