The endota Experiment #endotalovesmums - VIDEO

I spotted this on Australian TV - on 'Sunrise' - a few days ago and positively bawled.

It's all about mums, in time for Mother's Day.

Watch and share. I defy you to not cry:

If we are caring for elderly mums - and dads - the importance of the message of this video is amplified about tenfold.

If they have dementia, multiply that by about 100.

The YouTube description says:

"Even on Mother's Day, we fail - sorry people, but we do - we fail to tell our Mothers just how much they mean to us, and just how grateful we are for their tireless sacrifice and support.

Because #endotalovesmums, we conducted an experiment...

We invited six unsuspecting people to take part. Unaware of what it would involve, the participants were given a list of prompts and asked to reflect on what their Mums mean to them.
The prompts included "when I imagine my Mum, I see her...", "now that I'm a parent myself, I want to thank my Mum for...", and "if Mum were no longer around, I would feel..."

They were then were asked to take the confronting step of calling their Mums to relay their feelings -- a task so simple in theory, but in reality hugely emotional, surprisingly difficult and ultimately massively rewarding. Cue heartfelt thanks. Genuine appreciation. Thrilled Mums. And oh so many tears.

We hope it encourages you to do the same this Mother's Day.
'endota loves Mums' gift cards are available from your local endota spa. Grab one, and tell your Mum how you really feel this Mother's Day."

Social links:
Join the conversation by using the #endotalovesmums hashtag
Twitter: http://twitter.com/endotaspa
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/endota.day.spa
Web: http://www.endotadayspa.com.au

'The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook' by Josie Gagliano

And so… this.

This is the baby I have been working on for many, many months and have been living for many, many years.

Here is the cover of my new - and very first - book, titled 'The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook.'

(Updated June 3: featuring the new cover with the legendary Ita Buttrose's words - she has kindly written the foreword to the book, in her role as Alzheimer's Australia National President and carer to her beloved late father who had dementia):

There will be more to come on the book, but for now… have a look!

I am very proud, very much blown away this is all coming together, and very emotional knowing you will be able to read all about my journey through aged care, the 'Sandwich Generation', and being a carer for my mother.

I am also very moved knowing that many will see themselves in these stories.

'The Australian Ageing Generation Handbook' will be available in July 2014, published through Jane Curry Publishing.

It is being launched on July 8 at Gleebooks. Click here to come to the event (open to the public, though RSVPs a must) and buy the book.

WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK:

The book is also available at ABC shops, online and instore - see this link here.

It's also available at all Big W stores Australia-wide.

Also via Boffin Bookstore here and the Co-op Bookshop here and Booktopia here.

And you can download it instantly via JB-HiFi here.

Neville Wran dies of dementia, age 87. Funeral on May 1.

Neville Wran died on April 20, at the age of 87. He was the Premier of NSW from 1976 and 1986. Tomorrow, on May 1, Mr Wran will be given a state funeral, to be held at Sydney Town Hall.

Mr Wran suffered from dementia and had been under special care for the past two years.

His wife Jill Hickson said: “This is of course a very sad time for us all but in fact a blessed release for Neville­."

I understand these words - though not to their full extent yet - because many people I have interviewed who have lost loved ones to dementia express a sense of relief their relative is now at peace, and not being 'ravaged' at the hands of this cruel disease.

Also, I am surprised to learn that people who have had no experience at all with dementia are not aware people can actually die of dementia. I should not be that surprised though - I was one of these people. Until my mother was diagnosed with dementia, I had no idea it is a degenerative disease which eventually leads to death.

"Dementia is a cruel fate and I have been grieving the loss that comes with it for some years," continued Jill Wran.

If you have a relative with dementia you have probably heard of the term associated with it: "the long goodbye."

It is indeed a long farewell, and long period of mourning, if you will. The carer is grieving the 'loss' of that person you knew for a very long time. Sometimes, you don't even realise you have done this, or are continually doing this, until your loved one with dementia displays behaviours inconsistent with who they were, and you know they'd be mortified - if they were of sound mind - to know what they are doing.

Continued Jill Wran: "But I hope now, especially in this political climate, people will join me in celebrating­ the life of a great man, a true political hero."

RIP, Neville Wran. Here's to being remembered as the man you were in the prime of your life.

World's Toughest Job - #worldstoughestjob: VIDEO

I debated where to post this beyond fantastic viral video. On my pop culture blog Josie's Juice, where I post viral videos? Or on TwinnieWorld, where I post parenting bits and bobs.

But nope, I knew it had to be on this blog. As a tribute to my mamma. As an early Mother's Day gift. To acknowledge ALL she has done for me. And now all I do for her in return. Because she deserves it.

Watch. You will truly laugh… then cry. Posted only two days ago and already over three million hits.

It's comes from a Boston agency, who posted this job listing online for a "director of operations" position at a company called Rehtom Inc. The requirements sounded nothing brutal!

• Standing up almost all the time
• Constantly exerting yourself
• Working from 135 to unlimited hours per week
• Degrees in medicine, finance and culinary arts necessary
• No vacations
• The work load goes up on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's and other holidays
• No time to sleep
• Salary = $0

The job ad got 2.7 million impressions from paid ad placements. Only 24 people enquired. They interviewed via webcam, and their real-time reactions were captured on video.

Check out what happened below. It's worth watching to the end.

Thai Life Insurance: 'Unsung Hero' - Viral Video

I love this now-viral video.

Okay, sure… it's selling insurance in Thailand, but… the message is very simple: pay it forward and you will get it (love, luck, joy, emotional connections) back ten-fold.

I think this lesson can absolutely be applied to carers: carers do the most selfless 'job' on the planet. They put the needs of others first. often for no 'gain' other than a BIG one: eternal gratitude and lots of deep love from those being cared for. The moment may not be apparent immediately - or often - but it's there.

In the meantime, let this video inspire you:

Fighting Alzheimer's Stigma: VIDEO

This video - published on Alzheimer's & Dementia Weekly - talks about how dementias like Alzheimer's can be deeply stigmatising.

The video shows how some people are fighting those stigmas to make a real difference. 

'Derek' Season 2: Trailer

Have you seen the series 'Derek'?

If you have seen it, then you'll know that it centres on the goings on at 'Broadhill Retirement Home', with comic genius (no, really… he is a genius) Ricky Gervais playing the title role of 'Derek'.

Now, the first time you watch the series, a few minutes in, you kinda have to adjust your eyes a tad. Is this Ricky playing a man who is held up for ridicule? A man-child who is intellectually challenged and we are meant to laugh at?

No and no.

This is Gervais pushing the boundaries - again - with something that (prior to watching 'Derek' season one) I had never seen before: our elderly and aged care under the spotlight, and it's a look into a world many of us are not privy to, unless we have an elderly parent or grandparent or relative, at home or in care.

In typical Gervais style, the series is based on much black humour and pathos, and elicits so much emotion; for me, it emanated from a place I did not expect. I wept and wept during particular scenes in season one, especially when confronting situations arose with residents of the aged care facility, and seeing the beautiful relationships that formed throughout.

Ricky Gervais just released the trailer for season two a few hours ago.

Here it is:

The YouTube description says:

"Ricky's award-winning comedy drama Derek returns to Channel 4 in the UK on 23rd April 2014 for a brand new series - and on Netflix around the world soon after.

A year has gone by since we last visited Broadhill Retirement Home and there's some new residents, additions to the staff and the welcome return of a few familiar faces."

Social media links below:

Order Derek Season 1 on DVD ► http://bit.ly/DerekDVD
SUBSCRIBE for more Derek! ► http://is.gd/RickyGervais

ABOUT DEREK:
http://rickygervais.com/derek.php

STAY CONNECTED:
Follow Ricky on Twitter ► http://www.twitter.com/RickyGervais
Like Ricky on Facebook ► http://www.facebook.com/RickyGervais
Official Ricky Gervais Website ► http://www.RickyGervais.com