Life is short. Make sure you're not living as if you're dead.
A dementia diagnosis at 49 turned Kate Swaffer into one of the world's most influential campaigners for the rights of people living with the condition. Rather than accept the standard prognosis, she has spent nearly two decades reframing dementia as a disability, one that deserves rehabilitation, equal access to human rights, and a seat at the table rather than a farewell.
Kate is a PhD Candidate at Adelaide University, investigating human rights, disability, policy and care systems for people living with dementia. She co-founded Dementia Alliance International in 2014, a global advocacy and support organisation for people with dementia. She has also served on the World Dementia Council and as an elected Board member of Alzheimer's Disease International.
Her qualifications span a Master of Science in Dementia Care, a Bachelor of Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Grief Counselling, alongside earlier careers as a nurse and a chef. She is also a widely published researcher, author and poet, with two books on living with dementia and several published collections of poetry to her name.
In 2017, Kate was named South Australia's Australian of the Year in recognition of her advocacy. She continues to speak internationally, drawing on lived experience and research in equal measure to change how governments, health systems and audiences think about dementia.
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Kate Swaffer | Introduction | Saxton Speakers
Kate Swaffer has made a human rights based approach to dementia, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for the 47.5 million people already diagnosed with dementia her focus over the last few years, and is changing the way the world views dementia.Kate Swaffer | Advocacy & Activism | Saxton Speakers
Kate Swaffer has made a human rights based approach to dementia, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for the 47.5 million people already diagnosed with dementia her focus over the last few years, and is changing the way the world views dementia.Kate Swaffer | Disrupting the Dementia and Aged Care Space | Saxton Speakers
Kate Swaffer has made a human rights based approach to dementia, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for the 47.5 million people already diagnosed with dementia her focus over the last few years, and is changing the way the world views dementia.Kate Swaffer | My Dementia Story | Saxton Speakers
Kate Swaffer has made a human rights based approach to dementia, reducing stigma, and improving the quality of life for the 47.5 million people already diagnosed with dementia her focus over the last few years, and is changing the way the world views dementia.On International Women's Day we highlight the wonderful work being done by dementia advocate Kate Swaffer. Kate was only 49 when she was diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia and was told ... keep reading Alzheimer's Western Australia
Kate Swaffer is an outstanding inspirational speaker whose story is so gutsy that you marvel at her incredible will power to live life to the fullest. Diagnosed with younger onset dementia at 49 she has become a global dementia activist determined to change people's attitudes to dementia. Her words will linger in your thoughts long after she has finished speaking.
Kate is brilliant! We were privileged to have Kate present at our recent forum on human rights and dementia. Kate delivered a passionate and thought-provoking presentation, actively engaging participants and challenging their perceptions of dementia and current models of dementia care. Kate was able to share insights into her lived experience with dementia, as well as provide commentary from both the national and international perspectives. Our event participants had nothing but positive feedback for Kate. We look forward to working with Kate again.
Kate has made remarkable progress in changing the face of dementia in less than the four years since I have known her. Without doubt, she has started to change the worldview of dementia, and influenced and empowered others diagnosed with dementia to live more positively with it, rather than to do what many professionals in the health sector tell them to do, which is to go home and wait to die from it, via aged care...Kate's voluntary work, and incredible drive, purpose and passion to help create positive change for the 50 million people around the world currently (and the millions others soon to be) living with dementia as well as their families globally, has been truly noteworthy.
Kate, I am in awe of you/your work. I appreciate your positivity, passion and poise; keep it up!
Our staff were blown away by her presentation!
You are an inspiration for all of us, including those of us with some form of dementia, caregivers, and ALL women and men from all walks of life who all wonder how you do it all! I'm sure the LOVE and support from your husband and family help you stay grounded so you can also take care of yourself! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your advocacy and support!
Loved your blog about those who inspire you personally... Dr Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, and your Aunt and Great grandmother. You are right up there with them! And we are all grateful for what you do, and all inspired daily by you.
