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Fremantle, WA – An innovative research project at Edith Cowan University (ECU) is harnessing the power of music and storytelling to enhance the well-being of older Italian migrants, including those living with dementia. The “Comusichiamo” project is unlocking deep-seated memories and strengthening cultural identity through personalized songs and life-story booklets.
Led by ECU Post Doctoral Research Fellow Dr. Simone Marino, the project engages participants and their families in creating songs inspired by melodies from their past. These songs, combined with life-story booklets written in their native Italian, serve as powerful tools for maintaining cognitive function and fostering social connection. Group choir sessions further amplify these benefits, creating a joyful and supportive environment.
“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 explained. The research, published in the Journal of Intercultural Studies, highlights the profound impact of culturally meaningful music.
The Comusichiamo program, based at InCasa, an aged care home and community center near Fremantle, involves 12 participants in individual sessions and approximately 30 in group choir activities. Dr. Marino emphasized that “co-creating culturally tailored songs and life-story booklets in participants’ first language improves mood, enhances physical and social engagement, and fosters better communication.” The choir sessions, he added, “reinforce a sense of belonging, strengthening social bonds and encouraging emotional expression, and brings laughter and joy.”
Dr. Marino’s inspiration for Comusichiamo stems from both his professional research and personal experience. “I witnessed my Italian grandfather, Nonno Nino, experience cognitive decline, yet he would light up when telling stories from the war,” he shared. This, combined with his research among Italian migrants in Australia, drove him to explore the role of cultural engagement in dementia care.
With an estimated 472,000 Australians living with dementia in 2021, and a significant portion of older Australians being born overseas, initiatives like Comusichiamo are crucial. “By focusing on cultural safety and identity, Comusichiamo offers a non-pharmacological approach to dementia care—one that prioritizes connection, dignity, and quality of life,” Dr. Marino stated.
The project, which emerged from discussions with ECU Professor Loretta Baldassar in 2019 and was initially piloted in Adelaide, has expanded to Western Australia in 2023. Under the supervision of Professor Narelle Lemon at ECU’s School of Education, the research is deepening its focus on well-being and continuing to expand.
“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 well-being, offering an approach that is not only therapeutic but deeply meaningful.”
More information: Simone Marino et al, Comusichiamo . First Language, Life-Soundtracks and Storytelling to Support the Cultural Wellbeing of Migrants Living with Dementia, Journal of Intercultural Studies (2024). DOI: 10.1080/07256868.2024.2418601
Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided in the given text. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to consult with healthcare professionals for medical advice and to refer to the original research for detailed findings. The information presented here should not be interpreted as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Individual results may vary.
