Bridging Research and Dementia Care: AfCAS Brings Draw Care to CALD Communities

The Association for Culturally Appropriate Services (AfCAS) continues to lead the way in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities affected by dementia. In a recent initiative that captures the spirit of its work, AfCAS hosted a powerful workshop centred around Draw Care — a digital storytelling project developed by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI). This collaboration brought together community members, carers, and aged care workers to engage with real-life stories that reflect the lived experiences of CALD families navigating dementia.

At the heart of the workshop was the introduction of six short, animated films, each depicting a different aspect of the dementia journey through the lens of CALD family carers. The films, part of the Draw Care resource and funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, were warmly received by attendees, who came from diverse roles including carers, aged care professionals, interpreters, and even a PhD student. What truly set the tone for the session was a heartfelt testimony by a local participant caring for his wife who lives with dementia. His openness struck a chord with everyone in the room, bringing an emotional depth that grounded the animated stories in the complex reality of day-to-day caregiving.

Rika Asaoka, AfCAS, leading a group discussion at the Draw Care workshop

Feedback from the workshop was overwhelmingly positive, with participants praising the interactive format and the relatable, engaging content. One attendee captured the sentiment perfectly: "Great, encouraging workshop. Well run and very interesting. Love the films."

This experience exemplifies the two-way model that AfCAS champions — connecting the insights of university-based research with the wisdom and needs of those providing or receiving care on the ground. Since its founding in 2017 under the national Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) program in WA, AfCAS has built a strong reputation for working collaboratively with a wide network of stakeholders, from CALD-specific and mainstream aged care providers to organisations like the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI), dementia service providers, and academic institutions.

R-L:  Professor Bianca Brijnath, Mary Gurgone & Dr Thu Ha Dang at the Draw Care Launch in Melbourne.

A key academic partner is Edith Cowan University and the Social Ageing (SAGE) Futures Lab, with whom AfCAS has co-hosted annual aged care conferences since 2017. These events aim to apply best-practice research to real-world community settings, reinforcing the importance of mutual learning and ongoing dialogue between academia and service delivery.

Draw Care offers an example of two-way collaboration between researchers and service providers. Mary Gurgone, the Chair of AfCAS, has been involved in the development of Draw Care.

CLICK: Draw Care Launch | National Ageing Research Institute

This spirit of collaboration was also evident in the involvement of Mary Gurgone, Chair of AfCAS, in the development of the Draw Care resource. In a recent message from NARI to Mary, the institute acknowledged her significant contribution:

"Your thoughtful perspectives and real-world insights greatly enriched our discussions on the role of digital solutions in dementia care and support. Your representation of the aged care sector, and the experiences you shared, offered invaluable insight into multicultural service delivery and how digital tools … can be meaningfully embedded into community-based care.

The depth of experience and openness you brought to the conversation helped spark engaging dialogue and contributed to the success of the sessions. "

AfCAS’s efforts go beyond simply introducing a new tool — they ensure that tools like Draw Care actually reach the carers and families they are designed to help. By anchoring research in community-based delivery, and by fostering opportunities for CALD voices to shape and respond to such resources, AfCAS demonstrates what culturally appropriate care should look like in action.

Draw Care is more than a set of films — it’s a conversation starter, a bridge between evidence and empathy, and a reflection of the diversity that makes Australian communities strong. Through initiatives like this, AfCAS affirms its commitment to driving practitioner contributions into research and making the results of good research available where they matter most.

To explore Draw Care animations, visit https://www.mindcare.org.au/caring-for-dementia/watch-animated-stories.

 By Mary Gurgone, Chair of AfCAS & Dr Anne Butorac, Secretary of AfCAS

17 June 2025