Join online group videocalls to socialise with others
Dr Suraj Samtani, a researcher at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) is leading a team of researchers from UNSW Sydney, University of Queensland and Silverchain to find out how to help older adults maintain or enhance their social engagement and well-being. Silverchain is one of Australia’s largest aged care providers andprovide services for over 21,000 older adults in the community. The project is funded by a Dementia Australia Research Foundation fellowship awarded to Dr Samtani.
Dr Samtani’s goal is to help older adults with cognitive concerns feel more confident in social situations, feel connected and happier, and potentially improve their quality of life.
Benefits
- Connect with others
- Maintain or enhance your confidence by engaging with others in a small group setting
- Get access to free healthy ageing webinars from UNSW Sydney
Who can take part?
You can take part if you:
- Are aged 55+
- Have noticed changes in your memory or thinking OR have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia
- Feel lonely sometimes
- Can join online sessions using a computer or tablet
- Do not have memory loss or difficulty finding words which stop you from having conversations
- Can do basic daily activities without help
- Can have conversations in English
- Can see and hear well (with glasses or hearing aid/s if needed)
- Do not have a severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis or bipolar disorder)
- Life expectancy is over 12 months
- Live in Australia
What is involved?
There are the two parts to this study:
- Online Group sessions: 5 online group videocalls lasting 2 hours each
- Online Individual tracking sessions: 3 online individual videocalls lasting 1 hour each. They involve thinking tasks + questionnaires about your social connections, mood and well-being.
