Our Projects
Navigating WeChat in COVID times as a Chinese care home resident.
This research study explored the role of technology amongst Chinese care home residents living in Auckland during three COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. We found WeChat is an effective means of maintaining social connections in the Chinese care home community, particularly when usage is facilitated by staff.
The Understanding and Experiences of Living with Dementia in Chinese New Zealanders.
This research study interviewed 16 Chinese people and family carers about their understanding and experiences of living with dementia. The study participants often reported a lack of understanding of dementia prior to the diagnosis. They commonly used the term of “brain shrinkage” when referring to dementia. Family carers also reported a tension between cultural obligation and carer stress.
This research study interviewed 11 Asian health care professionals about public attitudes towards dementia in Asian communities in New Zealand, the stigma of dementia, and how best to develop culturally appropriate services for Asian people and families living with dementia.
IDEA (Impact of Dementia mate wareware and solutions for Equity in Aotearoa) Programme:
The largest-ever study of dementia in New Zealand kicks off in the first week of April, with more than 50 researchers door-knocking thousands of homes in targeted areas of Auckland and Christchurch. The aim is to talk to 2100 older people and their families in their own language as a way to establish how many people have dementia across four ethnic groups (Pākehā, Chinese, Indian, and Fijian Indian). Then researchers can work out how that matches (or doesn’t match) existing health data, and what is needed to support different communities to care for their ageing relatives. Parallel studies are taking place in Māori and Pacific communities. The $5 million IDEA study (Impact of Dementia mate wareware and Equity in Aotearoa), funded by the Health Research Council, is led by University of Auckland healthy ageing expert Professor Ngaire Kerse. Kerse is the Joyce Cook Chair in Ageing Well, a role set up in 2018 with funding from Metlifecare founder Cliff Cook in memory of his mother, aged care champion Joyce Cook.
Chinese Healthy Brains Hub
The Lottery Community Grant has provided funding for Age Concern Auckland and Auckland Chinese Alliance Christian Church to deliver the “Healthy Brains Hub” project.
This focuses on brain activities and social connection amongst Cantonese speaking older adults living in East Auckland.
Affiliated organisations
Dementia Auckland provides dementia support services to people with dementia and their carers, aiming to support the community through awareness and knowledge. They help families navigate through what can be an emotional and stressful time by providing practical advice, education and support.
Te Whatu Ora is the overarching organisation responsible for New Zealand's national health service and will be working closely with our partners at Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority.
The University of Auckland is a public research university based in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest, most comprehensive and highest-ranked university in New Zealand and consistently places among the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings. The institution was established in 1883 and hosts about 40,000 students on five Auckland campuses.
Age Concern Auckland is a charity providing specialised services and support for over 65's, incl: Social Work Support, Elder Abuse Response Service, a Visiting Service, Health Promotion, Counselling, Total Mobility Assessments and confidential information and advice.
Vagus Centre, established in 2005 under the name of Chinese Mental Health Consultation Services Trust and adopting the trade name Vagus Centre in 2012. Vagus Centre is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to offering counselling services and support for children, individual adults, couples, and families. The organisation’s mission is to foster and restore family harmony while enhancing the wellbeing and safety of individuals. Moreover, Vagus Centre provides Safety Programmes services, as well as parenting and couple relationship programmes.