Introduction: When Words Begin to Disappear
For many people living with dementia, memory loss is only one part of the condition.
For migrants and culturally diverse Australians, dementia can also mean something even more confronting — the gradual loss of language.
As communication becomes harder, connections with family members, carers, and health professionals may weaken. Conversations that once felt natural can become confusing or emotionally charged, leaving both the person with dementia and their loved ones feeling isolated.
In a multicultural country like Australia, these challenges affect a significant number of families and raise important questions about how dementia care is understood and delivered.
Dementia in a Multicultural Australia
Australia is home to people from hundreds of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. As the population ages, dementia is increasingly affecting older people who were born overseas or who speak a language other than English at home.
It is estimated that more than 400,000 people are currently living with dementia in Australia, and a substantial proportion come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
For these individuals and their families, dementia does not exist in isolation — it interacts with culture, language, migration history, and identity.
Why Dementia Often Affects Language First
Dementia commonly impacts more recently acquired skills before earlier ones.
This means that people who learned English later in life may gradually lose their ability to communicate in English and revert to their first language.
For example:
- A person who spoke English fluently for decades may suddenly struggle to find words
- Conversations may shift back to a childhood language
- Mixing languages or using incorrect words may become more frequent
- Frustration and withdrawal may increase when others cannot understand them
This change is not a choice — it is a neurological response to dementia.
The Emotional Impact on Families
Language loss can be deeply distressing for family members.
Adult children or partners may find that:
- Communication becomes limited or repetitive
- Emotional expression changes
- Familiar relationships feel altered
- Cultural roles within the family shift
- Grief begins long before physical decline
For families from migrant backgrounds, these challenges are often compounded by cultural expectations around care, duty, and respect for elders.
Communication Barriers in Care Settings
When people with dementia receive support outside the home, language barriers can become more pronounced.
Challenges may include:
- Difficulty explaining needs, pain, or discomfort
- Misunderstandings about routines or instructions
- Reduced participation in activities
- Increased anxiety or agitation
- Carers misinterpreting behaviour as non-compliance rather than confusion
Without shared language or cultural understanding, even well-intentioned care can feel impersonal or distressing.
Why Interpreting Alone Is Not Always Enough
Interpreters are often used to bridge communication gaps, but dementia adds an extra layer of complexity.
Interpreting in dementia care requires more than direct word-for-word translation. Tone, emotional nuance, cultural context, and cognitive decline all influence how messages are understood.
Without specific awareness of dementia:
- Important meaning may be lost
- Questions may feel overwhelming or confusing
- Emotional cues may be missed
- Families may feel misunderstood or unheard
This can place additional pressure on family caregivers, who may end up acting as informal interpreters while also coping with emotional strain.
The Hidden Burden on Migrant Caregivers
Culturally diverse family caregivers often carry multiple responsibilities at once:
- Supporting a loved one with dementia
- Managing communication across languages
- Navigating unfamiliar care systems
- Balancing work, family, and cultural obligations
- Processing personal grief and loss
Many caregivers report feeling isolated, unsure where to seek help, or reluctant to speak up due to language barriers or fear of judgement.
The Value of Culturally Responsive Dementia Care
Research increasingly shows that culturally responsive approaches can improve the experience of dementia care.
When language, culture, and personal history are respected:
- Communication becomes more meaningful
- Anxiety and behavioural distress may reduce
- Families feel more confident and supported
- Trust between families and providers improves
- Care experiences feel more humane and dignified
Understanding cultural context is not an “extra” — it is central to quality care.
Why Awareness Matters Early
Early awareness of language-related changes in dementia can help families:
- Recognise symptoms sooner
- Adjust communication strategies
- Advocate more effectively
- Seek appropriate support
- Plan for future care needs
Without this understanding, families may misinterpret language loss as stubbornness, disinterest, or personality change, leading to unnecessary conflict or distress.
Navigating Care Choices Can Be Especially Challenging
For migrant families, choosing aged care services often involves additional questions:
- Will the provider understand cultural needs?
- How will communication be managed?
- Are staff experienced with diverse backgrounds?
- Will my loved one feel safe and respected?
- How do fees and services compare?
These concerns can make decision-making more stressful, particularly during emotionally difficult periods.
How SSCA Can Help
At Support Services Connect Australia (SSCA), we understand that navigating aged care can feel even more complex for families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
With over 25 years of experience in the Australian aged care sector, SSCA provides a free care finding service to help older Australians and their families make informed choices with confidence.
Our care finding service can help you:
- Understand aged care options in clear, simple language
- Compare Home Care Package providers
- Match care needs, preferences, and location with suitable providers
- Navigate decisions without pressure — at no cost to you
If you are in Melbourne and feeling unsure about aged care options for a loved one living with dementia, SSCA’s free care finding service is here to support you.