Browsing by Author "Belfrage M."
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Item Culturally safe, trauma-informed approach to cognitive impairment and dementia in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.(2023-08-08) LoGiudice D.; Hughson J.; Douglas H.; Wenitong M.; Belfrage M.Background: The population of older (age >=50 years) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is increasing, and the rate of dementia in this group is three to fivefold higher than in the general population. A high prevalence of risk factors across the life course likely contributes to these rates. Objectives: This paper highlights practical ways to apply best practice principles when addressing the detection of cognitive impairment and dementia in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and its management in the context of a person's family, carers and community. Discussion: Recognising culture, the collective nature of family and community decision making for a person, the ways to uphold respect for Elders and a trauma-informed approach are fundamental to the care of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairment and dementia.Item The Her Tribe and His Tribe Aboriginal-designed empowerment programs.(2022-02-28) Gee G.; Sheridan S.; Charles L.; Dayne L.; Joyce L.; Stevens J.; Paradies Y.; Hulbert C.; Haslam N.; Thorpe R.; Thorpe L.; Thorpe A.; Stewart P.; Austin L.; Lyons L.; Belfrage M.; Warber R.; Paxton A.; Thompson L.This study documents evaluation of the Her Tribe and His Tribe Aboriginal-designed empowerment pilot programs. The programs were designed to support Victorian Aboriginal people to strengthen mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, community connection, and to reduce psychological distress. A second aim was to explore participants' experiences of the programs, including the feasibility and acceptability of the evaluation component. Her Tribe ran for 16 weeks and His Tribe for 12 weeks. In total, 43 women and 26 men completed assessments at pre-and post-program completion, and 17 and 10, respectively, participated in yarning circles at the 6-month follow up. For both programs, there were significant increases in participants' access to personal strengths and resources, relationship-community-cultural strengths and resources, and decreases in psychological distress. These changes were associated with small to moderate effects that were maintained at the 6-month follow up. There was a significant increase in aerobic fitness for female but not male participants, and no significant changes in weight for either group. Participants described a range of benefits from the programs, including positive elements and areas for improvement. They also viewed the evaluation as feasible and acceptable, and the findings of value. The outcomes from both pilot programs provide evidence that Aboriginal-designed programs, with a focus on physical and cultural activities, can help to strengthen mental health and wellbeing, community connection, and reduce psychological distress in Victorian Aboriginal communities.Copyright © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.