My wife Christine and I lived and worked in Canberra for many years.

Christine was diagnosed with early onset dementia at 46 years old and over the years became a dementia advocate and author.

When we moved from Canberra to Bribie Island, we wanted to be close to an airport and a decent hospital.

It was lucky we were because Christine ended up in hospital for a few days around 2013.

Her admission had nothing to do with her dementia, so while the team took great care of her physical needs, it seemed very few people were worrying about the dementia side.

I was coming in each day to bring her dementia medication as this wasn’t being prescribed while she was in hospital, and we realised this is something that could be done better.

When we saw an advert in the local paper for a community meeting at the hospital in 2014, we thought we’d go along.

It was very interesting, and we were invited to be involved with an ongoing group. Christine joined the Clinical Council and I was on the Executive Committee.

When Ward 3B/GLAD was being designed, we were invited to be involved.

In 2017, before the 3B/GLAD opened, we were invited to see the space and it was very exciting to see Christine’s feedback and suggestions had been included.

She also spoke with the new staff about how best to communicate with people with dementia and their families, based on her experience.

It was very rewarding to be able to see the outcome of our involvement and meet the 3B/GLAD staff.

Christine did quite a bit of research and she connected the design team with people from the University of Wollongong who were experts in the design of spaces for people with dementia.

While Christine stepped back from regular consumer activities, I stayed on and have been
a member of the Caring Together Consumer Network for seven years.

While I have a very strong interest in dementia, I have also been a chaplain at Woodford Correctional Centre for 18 years and have a strong interest in prisoner health.

The medical centres at the prison do a great job and I can see they’re all very motivated people.

They do a remarkable job and I take every opportunity to say that to them.

Over the years, I’ve been involved in several committees and working groups, but one thing I really enjoy is being on recruitment panels for new staff.

I feel really humbled each time I am asked and it’s an honour to be invited.

I know the other panel members are focussing on if they have the skills to do the job.

As a consumer, I’m looking at the individual and wondering if this is the sort of person I would like talking to me or turning me over or treating me if I was their patient.

After the interviews, the chair of the panel often asks me first what I thought and what I share starts a conversation with the group.

It’s very rewarding and it reminds me of why I became involved as a consumer, which is to feel like I’m making a contribution to our community while I can.

Have you got a story to share? Email ckw-engage@health.qld.gov.au.