specialty focus
Mindset shift
New project tackles social support gap for older migrants with dementia .
By Elise Hartevelt
Edith Cowan University researchers are launching a program to address the lack of social support for older migrants living with dementia .
The initiative ‘ BEFRIENDING with GENIE ’ aims to improve social connections and access to services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse ( CaLD ) backgrounds living with dementia .
It ’ s estimated that nearly half a million Australians are living with dementia , and one in three were born overseas .
Lead ECU researcher Professor Loretta Baldassar said there ’ s a critical lack of support for older migrants in Australia , leading to adverse health outcomes and loneliness .
“ Despite the large number of CaLD people among the ageing population , most studies and programs just omit people who can ’ t speak English ,” she said .
“ It compounds our lack of knowledge and understanding about their needs and contributes to barriers .
“ It ’ s crucial to address this issue considering dementia rates are rising .”
Dementia is the leading cause of disease burden in injury and premature death among Australians aged 65 and older .
Over 400,000 people in Australia were estimated to live with dementia last year , which is expected to double by 2058 .
Yet , people from migrant backgrounds [ who live with dementia ] face significant barriers in making social connections and accessing aged care and health services .
As the disease progresses , people might lose language skills or become less mobile , which can result in fewer social interactions and isolation .
Professor Baldassar said that older CaLD people living with dementia , and their caregivers , often have less knowledge about prevention strategies that can support social connectivity .
“ This can put them at increased risk of significantly reduced social connection and isolation , which raises their risk of disease and mortality ,” she said .
While ageing presents unique challenges for everyone , these challenges are often exacerbated for older CaLD people .
They might have experienced trauma before migrating and live with mental illness , have smaller social networks or be unfamiliar with Australian society .
When accessing aged and healthcare services , they can face language barriers or struggle to find culturally or linguistically appropriate support .
Plus , people from migrant backgrounds can have culturally different views on aged care services , where they prefer familycentred care over formal care .
“ We need to start recognising and supporting these people and their caregivers ,” professor Baldassar said .
“ We ’ re living longer , regardless of what language we speak or cultural background we ’ re from .
“ Investing in our ageing futures and preventing long dependency states should be a priority .”
Earlier this month , Edith Cowan University ( ECU ) secured a $ 1.4m grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council ( NHMRC ).
The project combines two tried-andtested approaches , ‘ BEFRIENDING ’ and ‘ GENIE ’.
The first is a programme developed by the National Ageing Research Institute ( NARI ) where older people engage in casual conversations with a trained facilitator to reduce loneliness .
The second is an online social support network and engagement tool tailored to the interests of older people and their needs and tracks changes in the participant ’ s social connections over time .
Professor Baldassar said the combination offered ‘ the best chance of having an impact ’ to address loneliness , social isolation , and poor dementia outcomes .
“ It ’ s a powerful mix of tried and tested tools ,” professor Baldassar said .
“ Our intervention aims to provide service providers with a tool to give people the advice they need to become more socially active .
“ We want to empower individuals to access resources , participate in social activities , and enhance their support networks .”
NARI Director of Social Gerontology Professor Bianca Brijnath said the project fostered ‘ real connections ’ and was a ‘ vital step ’ towards providing wraparound support to people from CaLD backgrounds with dementia .
“ For people with dementia from a multicultural background , ageing can be a particularly isolating experience ,” professor Brijnath said .
“ Being separated from culture by distance , or because of health circumstances can be incredibly traumatic and have adverse impacts on health outcomes .”
While maintaining connections within one ’ s ethnic community offers important support , ties to the broader community may be especially significant for fostering a sense of belonging .
Research consistently showed that meaningful connections led to positive outcomes , such as reduced frailty , fewer depressive symptoms , preventable hospitalisations and dementia .
While social connectivity could be the key to avoiding dependency in older age , professor Baldassar emphasised that this required ‘ a shift in mindset .’
“ Ageism is the biggest barrier to ageing well ,” she said .
“ We need a social revolution in our relationship to ageing .
“ Because we want people to be investing in their futures , whatever their age .” ■
20 agedcareinsite . com . au