Short films to promote early dementia diagnosis
Work is underway to develop a series of films on dementia to improve awareness and early diagnosis among culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Work is underway to develop a series of films on dementia to improve awareness and early diagnosis among culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The project by the National Ageing Research Institute and Curtin University is targeting the three fastest-growing CALD groups in Australia – Chinese, Indian and Arab communities.
The films aim to educate these communities on the early signs of dementia, where to find help and types of dementia care.
Limited awareness of dementia in people from CALD backgrounds can result in delayed diagnosis, poorer prognosis, and a higher burden of care on families and health services.
15 short films are being made, with five language versions – Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Tamil and Arabic.
The films will be based on interviews with carers in ethnic communities in Perth (Chinese), Melbourne (Indian) and Sydney (Arabic).
Once completed, the films will be available for families and carers online and through a free mobile phone and tablet app.
The Moving Pictures project received a funding grant through the most recent Dementia and Aged Care Services funding round announced by the Department of Health.
Aged care minister Ken Wyatt said the project would help overcome communication and cultural challenges to boost awareness of dementia among these growing communities.
“By lifting awareness in familiar languages, we hope people with the onset of dementia will be helped earlier, leading to better treatment plans and improved quality of life,” he said.
The Moving Pictures films, website and app are due to be completed by June next year.
