IT’S TIME TO REDEFINE DEMENTIA What if it wasn’t all bad, or could teach us valuable lessons about life? As I am sure you know from media reporting over recent years, diagnosis rates for dementia are rising all over the world and so, it would seem, is fear and misunderstanding around the disease. Ask almost anyone about their greatest concerns around ageing and the word dementia is likely to come up. However, should a diagnosis really define an inspiring life previously led? And, what if it wasn’t all bad, or could teach us lessons about life? In this heartfelt book about her family’s journey with dementia, Lisa opens our mind to the possibility of reframing a diagnosis (from an ‘absolute’ negative to a ‘potential’ positive) as she recounts the life lessons her dad’s dementia has taught her, including those about caring for others, courage, guilt, gratitude, living for today, regret, simple pleasures, and a few others. Her hope is that you will be inspired by the insights she has gained and use them to support you in your own life, whether dementia is part of your family story or not. Lisa is an independent Social Worker. Across her career, she has practised in both inpatient and community mental health settings, sexual assault crisis services, child protection, foster care, and emergency medicine. Along the way, she has taken career breaks to have children, home educate and undertake home-based support work for NDIS funded clients. However, her interest in writing this book comes purely from her role as a ‘daughter’. That motivation stems from a desire to a) create a legacy for her beloved Dad and b) educate the wider community about the possibility of reframing dementia and reducing fear around diagnosis.