Let's CHAT Dementia

Let's CHAT Dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

The Let's CHAT (Community Health Approaches To) Dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities is a research project working with 12 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) around Australia to improve detection of cognitive impairment and dementia, as well as dementia care and brain health in the primary care context.

This is a co-design project working with ACCHS staff and a range of stakeholders in the area of Indigenous health and aged care to enhance the overall health outcomes and quality of life of older people who have cognitive impairment or dementia, their families and communities.

The project's Indigenous Reference Group advises on data collection activities, resource development and the implementation of the best-practice model of care that is being developed as part of this project and rolled out in the health services of our co-researching ACCHS partners.

The project is currently underway, with 12 co-researching partner ACCHSs located across urban, regional and remote areas of Victoria, NSW, North Queensland and Western Australia.

With great sadness we respectfully acknowledge the passing of Uncle Jack Charles on the 13^th of September 2022. A Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man, Uncle Jack was a highly respected Elder and celebrated actor, musician and activist. He was both a pillar and a voice for his community. The Let’s CHAT team was privileged to have the pleasure of working with Uncle Jack, who became our ambassador for brain health, spreading awareness around dementia for mob in Australia in advertisements screened nationally on SBS and NITV.

We would like to respectfully acknowledge the passing of our Indigenous Reference Group member Michele Moloney, in July 2022. A Wiradjuri woman, Michele’s many valuable education and research contributions were instrumental to achieving more equitable health and social outcomes for mob across Australia. She was a valued member of the Let’s CHAT Indigenous Reference Group, playing a key role in the development of our resources and cultural decisions on research design and implementation.