Imagine living in a new country for decades, mastering its language, and building a life around it. Then, one day, that language begins to slip away. For many migrants in Australia living with dementia, this is a painful reality. Dementia often strips away the second language learned in adulthood, leaving only the mother tongue. Suddenly, the words that once connected them to doctors, neighbors, and even family can disappear.
In Australia, over 28 percent of people with dementia come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This represents thousands of families navigating a double challenge—managing dementia while overcoming language barriers. By 2023, an estimated 411,100 Australians were living with dementia. For migrants, the condition often creates an added layer of isolation and disconnection.
How Dementia Changes Language
Dementia affects memory, thinking, and daily functioning, but one of its earliest and most visible impacts is on language. Many people experience repeating phrases, searching for the right words, or shifting topics unexpectedly.
For bilingual or multilingual migrants, the effect is even more complex. Dementia usually erodes recently learned skills first. This means someone who learned English as an adult might lose fluency in it, while still speaking their childhood language, such as Greek, Italian, Arabic, or Vietnamese. The shift can be heartbreaking. Families who once relied on English as their shared language may suddenly feel they no longer recognise the person they love.
Closing the Gap with Multilingual Tools
This challenge demands innovative solutions. One of the most effective is the In-Person Meeting Translator from VideoTranslatorAI. Designed for face-to-face conversations, it is ideal for healthcare consultations, government services, and personal interactions.
The tool provides real-time speech translation without the need for extra apps. All that’s required is a stable internet connection. Supporting more than 120 languages, it empowers families, healthcare workers, and community services to bridge language gaps instantly. For migrants with dementia, this means conversations can continue, even when English fades.
Real Impact on Families and Caregivers
The benefits of multilingual support go beyond convenience. They can transform the daily lives of both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Studies show that language-sensitive dementia care reduces stress for families and helps patients engage more fully with their treatment.
Practical examples already exist. Dementia Support Australia arranges interpreters and translates care materials to meet the needs of diverse communities. Cognitive assessments become more accurate when trained interpreters assist. Community programs like Victoria’s “language buddies” also help people reconnect, creating social bonds that ease loneliness.
By embedding tools like VideoTranslatorAI’s In-Person Meeting Translator into these services, support becomes not only accessible but also immediate. Families regain a sense of connection, and patients experience dignity through clear communication.
Moving Toward Inclusive Care
Australia has made progress, but much more is needed. Interpreters require specialist training in dementia care. Healthcare workers need stronger cultural awareness. Resources should be designed with diversity in mind, not as an afterthought.
Technology can accelerate this shift. By integrating multilingual AI tools into everyday care, we can ensure that a dementia diagnosis does not also mean the loss of communication. With the right support, families stay connected, and patients remain part of their communities.
At VideoTranslatorAI, our mission is clear. We help organisations and families overcome language barriers with multilingual solutions for video calls, in-person interactions, and broadcasts. Every person deserves to be heard, understood, and supported—especially when facing dementia.
Together, we can create a future where no voice is silenced by language loss.
