--- title: "Dementia and Optimism: How to utilise Optimism during Difficult Times." description: What can we learn from people living with dementia and their carers about utilising optimism during difficult times? image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Idea%20exchange%20concept.%20Ideas%20agreement%20Investing%20in%20business%20innovation%20and%20financial%20commerce%20backing%20of%20creativity.%20Open%20lightbulb%20icon%20with%20gear%20mechanisms.%20Funding%20potential%20innovative%20growth.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Hour of Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/hour-of-optimism) , ###### [Video](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/video) , ###### [Optimism Cafe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/optimism-cafe) , ###### [Dementia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/dementia) # Dementia and Optimism: How to utilise Optimism during Difficult Times. May 2020 What can we learn from people living with dementia and their carers about utilising optimism during difficult times?   Bobby Redman is a retired psychologist, living on the Central Coast of NSW. Bobby who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, in 2015, is determined to improve the lives of people living with dementia and is passionate about her consumer advocacy work with Dementia Australia. Keith Davies is a retired primary school principal who lives in Leura NSW. He has been caring for his wife of fifty-six years, Bev, who has dementia, for the past thirteen years. For the last five years, Bev has been in residential care, and Keith continues to help with her care, including spending time with her each day. They are joined by: Maree McCabe the CEO of Dementia Australia. Robert Masters, Chair of The Centre for Optimism. Victor Perton, Chief Optimism Officer at The Centre for Optimism. Peter Swindell, a dementia carer whose wife passed away 2 years ago.  Peter remains a volunteer and Dementia Advocate. 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