Edith Cowan University, led by Professor Loretta Baldassar, is launching an important research initiative called Befriending with GENIE. This project aims to improve social connections and access to services for older Australians living with dementia. It is part of a nationwide effort to support individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds, including the Indian community, which represents a significant and growing segment of Australia’s population.
The initiative brings together researchers from various institutions across the country, including Edith Cowan University in Perth, the University of Sydney, and the National Ageing Research Institute in Melbourne. In Sydney, the project is overseen by Dr. Sanetta du Toit and Dr. Jacques Raubenheimer. Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund, Befriending with GENIE seeks to reduce loneliness and enhance access to essential support services for older adults with dementia and their caregivers.
Addressing a Critical Need for Diverse Communities
Nearly half a million Australians are living with dementia, and one in three were born overseas. Dementia, as described by Dementia Australia, encompasses symptoms linked to a variety of illnesses that lead to a gradual decline in a person’s functioning. This decline affects memory, reasoning, social skills, and physical capabilities. While some people with dementia live in residential aged care, around two-thirds continue living in their own homes, surrounded by their communities. With over 1.6 million Australians providing care for someone living with dementia, it’s likely that many people are personally connected to someone affected.
Social connection is vital for quality of life, enabling participation in daily activities and maintaining bonds with family, friends, and the broader community. Access to supports such as healthcare, social services, and community resources is essential for helping individuals stay engaged in their social networks. However, older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities often face additional barriers, such as lower English proficiency, limited digital literacy, and cultural stigma surrounding dementia. These challenges increase the risk of loneliness, isolation, and depression among older adults from multicultural backgrounds, while also putting added strain on their family members and caregivers, who may struggle to access support.
The Befriending with GENIE initiative aims to address these issues by providing culturally tailored support for CaLD communities, including Indian Australians, who play a significant role in Australia’s multicultural landscape. With around 976,000 Australians of Indian descent and over 122,000 Indian international students, the Indian community is the second-largest and fastest-growing diaspora in the country. Despite their prominence, many still encounter challenges in accessing culturally relevant healthcare services, making their involvement in this research particularly valuable.
The project not only focuses on Indian Australians but also ensures equal participation from other CaLD communities, aiming to gather diverse cultural perspectives. By understanding the experiences of older adults from various backgrounds, *Befriending with GENIE* seeks to fill the gap in culturally appropriate dementia care, improving social connections and access to vital services for all involved.
An Inclusive Approach to Reducing Loneliness
Participants in the study will be visited by a “befriender” eight times over eight weeks. These one-hour sessions, conducted at a location of the participant’s choice or online, will provide a platform for discussing social connections, interests, and activities. Participants will also receive information about social support services that could be beneficial. This tailored approach aims to reduce loneliness and improve the quality of life for people living with dementia by enhancing their access to valuable services.
How to Participate
The *Befriending with GENIE* project is currently recruiting participants until December 15th. For those interested in joining the study, collaborating, or learning more, please contact the research team at [bwgen@ecu.edu.au] or https://redcap.ecu.edu.au/
Your participation will help shape a more inclusive approach to dementia care, ensuring that all communities have the support they need.
This initiative invites everyone to contribute to making Australia a more supportive place for older adults from all cultural backgrounds.
Nationwide Research to Support Older Migrants with Dementia: Empowering the Indian Community through Befriending with GENIE added by Indian newspaper Sydney on
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