CALD and Dementia

Embracing Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds often face unique challenges in diagnosing and managing dementia. These challenges include limited access to services, cultural and language barriers, and stigma, all of which can negatively impact the quality of care they receive and the timeliness of their diagnosis.

Research suggests that people from CALD backgrounds may present differently. This may be due to their higher “cognitive reserve,” which is the brain’s ability to adapt and function despite ageing, disease, or injury. The cognitive flexibility required to manage multiple languages, common among CALD individuals, may enhance their cognitive reserve.

Interestingly, those with higher cognitive reserve also had greater disease-related brain atrophy. Therefore, by the time symptoms appear, the underlying brain changes may be more advanced. As a result, individuals with higher cognitive reserve, such as those from CALD backgrounds, may be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease.

Improving dementia care for CALD communities requires a multi-faceted approach.

– Developing inclusive diagnostic tools
– Promoting inclusive research
– Enhancing cultural competence: healthcare professionals should receive training in cultural competence to better understand and support people from CALD backgrounds and their families
– Improving accessibility: services should provide information in multiple languages and ensure the availability of interpreters