Radio Brisvaani
Canberra, September 16 (MCCQ Newsdesk)
In September, Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo, CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), and Priyanka Rai, Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative, joined the Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event to mark World Alzheimer’s Month and prepare for Dementia Action Week (15–21 September).
Alongside Senator Helen Polley and Dr Kaele Stokes from Dementia Australia, the leaders listened to the experiences of people living with dementia, their families, and carers. This year’s theme, “Nobody can do it alone,” highlights the impact of dementia not only on individuals and carers but also on wider social networks, often leading to isolation, stigma, and discrimination.
Dementia is set to become Australia’s leading cause of death, making it one of the country’s biggest public health, disability, and aged care challenges, particularly for multicultural communities. Census 2021 data shows that 25% of Australians aged 30 and above with dementia were born in non-English speaking countries. Among those aged 85 and older, 30% of men and 26% of women with dementia come from these backgrounds (AIHW, 2024).
Research also indicates that people with limited English proficiency or who speak a language other than English at home face higher risks of dementia and related health issues such as diabetes. By 2051, the number of Asian-born Australians with dementia is projected to increase by over 400%, creating major implications for the provision of culturally appropriate care and support in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities (CEPAR, 2024).
The event underscored the importance of multicultural engagement, culturally responsive health services, and community-led support initiatives to ensure that older Australians from diverse backgrounds receive the care and resources they need.
