Posted in Ageing & Culture, Caregiving, Research & Best Practice, The Built Environment

Walking with my mother

Posted on by Joanna Sun

Director Katsumi Sakaguchi’s newest film “Walking with My Mother”
Official selection of Tokyo International Film Festival 2014

Director Katsumi Sakaguchi captures the life of his mother, Suchi, 78 through film, as she lives with dementia and depression, coping with the loss of her daughter and then her beloved husband. In the film Katsumi documents a life of distress, frustration and grief as his mother tries to remain resilient against all the trials and tribulations that life has hurl against her. He captures his own feelings and emotions as he tries to understand the needs of his mother and his own, and to cope with the changes that life has brought for both of them. The film also showcases their travel back to Suchi’s hometown and the positive improvements that such a change brings.

Posted in Caregiving, The Built Environment

Waijiang Music

Posted on by Joanna Sun

A beautiful video on WaiJiang music and the use of music to honor and remember the ones you love.

This video provides an insight into the passionate Teochew musicians in Singapore. I’m still reeling from the fact that they don’t have a score and everything is memorised. It’s amazing, the commitment of the musicians. One of the older adults appeared to have difficulties going up the stairs, but he still made it up to go for their jamming session. People talk about how we need to find more appropriate music that reflects the era of the person with dementia, and songs that are culturally appropriate. We still have a team in Singapore that continues to carry this tradition on with fierce dedication, as they preserve and cherish our heritage and culture in Singapore.

If you are looking for traditional Teochew music, these musicians are the real deal.

Posted in The Built Environment

Proud to be a finalist of such a prestigious group of incredible Australians

Posted on by Joanna Sun

So happy to see that the good work of dementia advocate Kate Swaffer being recognised in Australia.

Kate Swaffer (she/her) Kaurna Country's avatar

Screen Shot 2015-11-12 at 5.21.34 pm

There were more than 8000 nominees in Australia for the Australian Of The Year 2016 Awards, and I feel deeply honoured, humbled, proud and delighted to be a part of this amazing group of winners and sixteen finalists. Representing people with dementia and those who support us is my main goal in life these days, in particular improving the post diagnostic pathway of support, to one that is ethical and filled with love, kindness and compassion.

With more than 47 million people in the world currently diagnosed with dementia, one new diagnosis every 3.2 seconds somewhere in the world, including 1800 new diagnosis of dementia in Australia every week, and the current pathway of care one to aged care and death, rather than living, it is imperative I continue my work and miss in life. Thank you to those who nominated me, and to the committee who saw this work significant enough to make…

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