What the Hell Happened to My Brain? ─ Living Beyond Dementia

Drawing on her own experiences, Kate Swaffer explores the daily challenges faced by those diagnosed with young onset dementia. Challenging the notion of 'prescribed disengagement', Kate offers a fresh perspective on how to live well with dementia, and how family, friends and dementia care professionals can support people post diagnosis.

Kate Swaffer commenced her professional career as a nurse specialising in dementia and aged care. Following her diagnosis of younger onset dementia, she completed a BA in Writing and Creative Communications, a Bachelor of Psychology and a MSc in Dementia Care at the University of Wollongong, Australia. She now works as an advocate and activist for dementia and aged care, has published many articles and a book of poetry and has presented nationally and internationally on dementia. In 2015, she was named Dementia Leader of the Year in the University of Stirling International Dementia Awards and Emerging Leader in Disability Awareness in the National Disability Awards, was winner of the Bethanie Education Medallion, and was a state finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards for 2016. She is Co-founder and Co-chair of Dementia Alliance International, a board member of Alzheimer's Disease International and is to become a member of the World Dementia Council in February 2016. She blogs at www.kateswaffer.com, tweets as @kateswaffer and can also be found on Facebook.