One in five Australians over the age of 65 are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This creates a growing need for methods of assessing brain function that are appropriate to people from around the globe. It often takes over a year to receive an accurate diagnosis of dementia for Australians who are born here and for whom English is their first language. It takes much longer for people for whom English is their second or third language.
To address this issue, researchers at the University of NSW (UNSW) are seeking volunteers to evaluate computer-administered tests of memory and thinking. The aim of the study is to understand how factors such as years lived in Australia and the age at which a person started learning English might influence cognitive test performance. This will help clinicians and researchers improve the diagnosis of dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, enabling a fair, accurate and more timely diagnosis for all.
If you fulfil the following four criteria, you are eligible to participate in the study (called CogSCAN):
- You are over 60 years of age
- You can speak and read English
- You are able to speak a second language at a conversational or higher level
- You are able to competently read a language other than English
What does participation in the study involve?
- Completing an anonymous online survey about your basic demographics.
- 15 to 20 minutes of your time to complete a short questionnaire about different types of tests.
- Note that your brain performance will NOT be assessed. The researchers are seeking your opinion about the acceptability and viability of different methods of testing.
If you would like to volunteer, please visit the link below to complete the online survey.
https://redcap.link/CogSCANCLAQ
If you would like more information about the research or would prefer to complete the survey by phone, please contact the study team at: cogscan@unsw.edu.au or ring 02 9385 0186.
Thank you in advance for your interest in contributing to brain research.
Please forward this Health-e-Byte to anyone who would be eligible to participate in this important new study.
