In this in depth and illuminating conversation, Narelle and Julie Ann welcome Professor Loretta Baldassar, an anthropologist whose work explores the intersections of culture, care, and aging. Drawing from her extensive research with migrant communities and leading the Social Ageing (SAGE) Futures Lab at Edith Cowan University, Loretta shares profound insights about how cultural backgrounds shape women's experiences of aging and caregiving, challenging us to reconsider our understanding of independence, support networks, and what it means to age well across diverse communities.

This Episode

Professor Baldassar shares her journey and expertise on cultural care and aging. We explore:

• How culture shapes our understanding of independence and care as we age
• The "intergenerational contract" and how it's changing across cultures and generations
• The power of positive social connections and the concept of "three positive nodes" for wellbeing
• How creative expression, arts engagement, and facilitated digital access can transform wellbeing for aging women
• The unique challenges faced by women in the "sandwich generation" who care for both aging parents and children

Quotable Moments

"Culture is a zone of disagreement and contest, and it has to be. That's not unhealthy culture. That's healthy culture, transforming and shifting and moving with the times." - Loretta

"If you strengthen, if you resource, if you enrich, if you welcome, if you encourage, if you nurture homeland culture, you'll have cultural groups who have the capacity to relax about the host culture, to be open, to be playful." - Loretta

"Loneliness now is more deleterious and risky to your health outcomes than smoking. We know that social isolation is the worst thing for dementia." - Loretta

"The communities that are doing better are the ones that have strong cultural brokers... who can do the translating back and forward, not just of language, but also of culture." - Loretta

"As you age, you need to lean in. You need to be more mobile, more active. You need to be more socially engaged." - Loretta

Resources Mentioned

• World Health Organization research on ageism as a barrier to aging well
• SAGE (Social Ageing) Futures Lab research on social and cultural care
• Social network analysis showing the importance of having at least three positive connections
• "Facilitated digital access" as a way to maintain important connections across distances
• Arts engagement approaches for enhancing wellbeing in older adults

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• Visit our website: www.shespeakswellbeing.com

A Note on Wellbeing

She Speaks is dedicated to amplifying women's voices on self-care and wellbeing. While we share personal experiences, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you're struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health practitioner.

She Speaks is proudly supported by the Western Australian Government and Department of Communities Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Grants Program.