An Australian research project is taking an innovative approach to dementia care by harnessing the cultural power of music and storytelling. The Comusichiamo program, led by Edith Cowan University (ECU) Post Doctoral Research Fellow Dr Simone Marino, works with older Italian migrants to co-create songs inspired by melodies from their past, helping them reconnect with their memories and sense of identity.
“For many Italian migrants, singing traditional songs or hearing familiar instruments evokes emotions and memories that reconnect them with their past and strengthen their sense of self,” Dr Marino said.
Known for its inclusive approach, the project uses life-story booklets—developed in the participants’ first language—along with group choir sessions to maintain cognitive function and improve overall well-being. Dr Marino highlighted the emotional and social impacts this can have:
“Co-creating culturally tailored songs and life-story booklets in participant’s first language improves mood, enhances physical and social engagement, and fosters better communication,” he said.
“And singing in the choir reinforces a sense of belonging, strengthening social bonds and encouraging emotional expression, and brings laughter and joy.”
“This shared experience not only promotes cognitive stimulation but also restores a sense of agency, as participants actively shape their own cultural and emotional narratives.”
Drawing on personal experiences with his own grandfather, Dr Marino noted the deeper significance behind this approach: “I witnessed my Italian grandfather, Nonno Nino, experience cognitive decline, yet he would light up when telling stories from the war,” he said.
“This, along with my own experiences as an immigrant and researcher among Italian migrants in Australia, led me to explore how cultural engagement can play a vital role in dementia care.”
The program’s inclusive ethos is central to addressing Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse population—one in three people over 65 was born overseas, a demographic represented in the country’s growing dementia statistics. Dr Marino believes this model can pave the way for more responsive aged care services:
“By focusing on cultural safety and identity, Comusichiamo offers a non-pharmacological approach to dementia care—one that prioritises connection, dignity, and quality of life,” he said.
“Too often, aged care services overlook the cultural aspects of dementia care. This research highlights the important role of music and storytelling in maintaining connection and wellbeing, offering an approach that is not only therapeutic but deeply meaningful.”
Originating in 2019 discussions with leading migration researcher ECU Professor Loretta Baldassar, Comusichiamo has expanded from a pilot in Adelaide to Western Australia. Under the supervision of Professor Narelle Lemon at ECU’s School of Education, the project continues to develop its focus on wellbeing, offering a unique insight into the potential for culture-based dementia care in Australia. The research paper Comusichiamo. First Language, Life-Soundtracks and Storytelling to Support the Cultural Wellbeing of Migrants Living with Dementia is published in the Journal of Intercultural Studies.
Read also: Common health issues silently raising dementia risk for Australians
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
