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This newsletter is produced through a project funded by the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing under the Community Partners Program (CPP) |
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The Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) welcomes you to the December edition of our e-newsletter. In this edition:
Working with Diversitat Geelong
AGWS Collaboration with Carers Victoria
AGWS Collaboration with City of Brimbank
Incorporating the Active Service Model for our elderly
The Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) operate PAGs on a weekly basis in the suburbs of Brunswick, Balwyn, Clayton and Sunshine, attracting clients from all neighbouring suburbs as well. Activities on offer are multiple, and include food, dance, songs, physical exercise, art and craft, excursions, entertainment as well as special guests/speakers, addressing a variety of relevant topics, including medication, health, stress and personal safety. The AGWS also operates PAGs for younger people with physical, mental or intellectual disabilities with emphasis on socialisation, independence skills and social and emotional well being. For more information please call AGWS on 9388 9998and ask for Chryssa. The Australian Greek Welfare Society held its 3rd Annual Brokered Services Breakfast on November 23rd at AGWS headquarters in Brunswick. External service providers across all regions of Melbourne, new and old, came together for a meet and greet over a pre -Christmas breakfast to wind down as another year closes. It provides a great start to the day; an opportunity for the Respite and Brokered Services Team to put a face to the name of case managers they deal with on a daily basis and catch up over a fresh cuppa and scone! AGWS promotes and supports services, in order to maintain and encourage independent living skills through a co-ordinated Brokered Service. Our brokered services are highly responsive, flexible, linguistically and culturally appropriate and available across most metropolitan regions in Melbourne. For further enquiries regarding services, please contact program coordinator Niki Matziaris on 9388 – 9998. Aged Information & Referral Service
AGWS Collaboration with National Prescribed Services
No other resources were requested. The PowerPoint presentation for the Safe and wise use of medicines, the presenter’s guides, the translated media materials, the medicines List and the Medimate brochures were all culturally appropriate for the Greek seniors. The information sessions were of a couple of hour’s duration in total, which incorporated a community consultation and discussion. The groups were very attentive. The majority of participants didn’t have knowledge around Webster packs and their use. Most participants didn’t realize that herbal and alternative medicines may interact with other medications. AGWS Collaboration with St Vincent's Health and the Cancer Council At the beginning of 2011 the Cancer Council Victoria, Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) and St Vincent’s Health collaborated to form a Greek Cancer Support Group. The aim of the group is to provide the opportunity for those affected by cancer to meet on a regular basis in a friendly and supportive environment and to share their thoughts and experiences over brunch. In addition speakers including health, community and other professionals are readily invited to cover topics of relevance to the group. Some of the areas covered by speakers to date include diet and cancer, personal cancer reflection, emotional reactions to cancer, available support services and other issues. The group is mainly comprised of people who have personally experienced cancer as well as relatives. Feedback from the group (which meet in the Northern region) is very favourable and there is increasing interest from people in the Southern region to have a similar group in the South. The group meet on the second Friday of each month from 10am to 12.00 noon at Australian Greek Welfare Society, 7 Union Street Brunswick. Anyone affected by cancer either directly or indirectly is welcome to join the group and can contact Nina Xarhakos at Australian Greek Welfare Society on 9388 9998 or Voula Kallianis (social worker) St Vincent’s Hospital 9853 2344.
Referrals can be made to the Access & Support officer at the Australian Greek Welfare Society (AGWS) by anyone including individuals, doctors, ACAS, hospitals, health centres and anyone else wanting services for Greek speaking clients who are unable to access these on their own due to language or other barriers. For further information about this program please call Nina Xarhakos at AGWS on (03) 9388 9998. Train the Trainer - Peer education for Leaders of Greek Elderly Clubs AGWS organised a peer education training session in the Southern region in order to consult with leaders of Greek Elderly citizens clubs and train them in responding appropriately to their member’s needs . The training package was prepared by AGWS with the input of the Association of Greek Elderly Clubs as an outcome of consulting with the leaders of elderly clubs around their issues/needs. 12 leaders representing clubs in the Southeast region participated in the training at the Clayton Community Centre. The feedback received indicated that the training increased the capacity of Greek community leaders to inform and resource their members, improved the knowledge on aged care issues and services and encouraged discussion on these within the Greek community and showed the need for the development of a culturally relevant resource available to the Greek community in order to increase the capacity of Greek community groups to respond to the needs of their ageing members. Participants stated the benefit of ongoing resourcing of the leaders on a regular basis and requested that a training session be organised in the Southern and Northern region in 2012. AGWS organised and delivered a cultural briefing at the Commonwealth Respite & Care link Centre /Caulfield Hospital (Southern region). 17 evaluations were collected. 94% of participants strongly agreed and 6% agreed that they learnt something new by attending this training. Participants highlighted that some of the most valuable aspects of the briefing were relating to cultural notions around caring for a family member, attitudes towards health professionals and external services, generational and cultural attitudes towards ageing, mental health, palliative care and intergenerational/familial abuse. 65% strongly agreed and 35% agreed that the information provided was relevant to their role, and has provided them with practical strategies in effectively engaging their elderly Greek clients. 94% of participants strongly agreed and 6% agreed that the information was presented in a clear and understandable manner. 94% strongly agreed and 6% agreed that the presentation style was informative and interesting. 76% strongly agreed and 24% agreed that the use of learning resources was appropriate. 88% strongly agreed and 12% agreed that their expectations were met. 65% of the participants would like this training to take place again in the future and 100% wouldn't like to see any changes to the course. AGWS Collaboration with Alzheimer's Australia Collaboration with Alzheimer’s Australia resulted in the delivery of Effective CALD Engagement Strategy Training at the University of Melbourne Hawthorn Campus to 39 Counsellors from Alzheimer’s Australia on the topic of Dementia & the Greek Community. The cultural briefing focused on Greek perceptions of dementia; Attitudes on using services, e.g. dementia; How do you respond to telephone services; How can Alzheimer’s Australia promote the National Dementia Helpline; Using Interpreters and Greek families; General tips for counsellors; And general awareness about working with the Greek community as well as samples of activities or promotional strategy for service awareness. A Cultural Day at St Anne’s Catholic School in Warrandyte was delivered to junior children about Greek culture. As they were Year 1/2 children the talk only needed to be simple. The school has very little cultural diversity so they were aiming to increase the children’s awareness and knowledge of the cultures that make up Melbourne. Particular emphasis was given on CALD families and communities, their migration and assimilation process. Other aspects of the training included AGWS services and particularly children’s and family relationships services and Greek culture, food, music, recreation and sport, traditions, family life, religion and other topics that were relevant to young children. Emphasis was given on how these relates to living in Melbourne, for example, how does a Greek family coming to live in Australia adapt... Which parts of their culture are easily continued and what changes may they experience or have to adapt to? The main aim was for the children to develop an appreciation of what contributions different cultures make to Melbourne and to look at vulnerable families, mixed marriages, language and cultural issues and adaptation to the educational system and life in Melbourne.
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Throughout the year AGWS Community Partners Program, funded by the Department of Health & Ageing, has been closely collaborating with Diversitat in Geelong for a needs analysis of the Greek community in the region to identify the needs of the elderly community and their carers. The collaboration aims to increase access to local aged care and health services and the capacity of the older Geek people to make informed decisions about services. Service providers have also been consulted to identify gaps and challenges in accessing and working with the Greek community in Geelong. The feedback received would assist in the identification of strategies to improve communication between community and services, increase the resourcing of the community and facilitate access to services.
AGWS cofacilitated 5 carers workshops with Carers Victoria, in Geelong, Sunshine, Balwyn North, Clayton South and Brunswick to 100 Greek elderly and their carers. These workshops addressed health and wellbeing, relaxation, sleep and looking after yourself and emotions. They also provided information and education on carers services and supports, AGWS services. 100% of the participants stated that the workshops have made a positive difference in their lives. 97% stated that the relaxation, breathing/meditation exercises were very beneficial and easy to follow and they will be doing it at home. 43% stated that as a result of the workshops they have a clearer understanding about what constitutes a carer. 4% were not aware that they are carers prior to doing the workshop. 13% requested more information and support around dealing with emotions of guilt, stress, anxiety and fatigue. 34% requested further support around sleeping. Workshops to address these issues with the groups have been organised for early 2012
AGWS in collaboration with City of Brimbank developed and delivered a Healthy Ageing 4 month program at the Greek Elderly citizen’s Club of Sunshine. The feedback has been very positive as 70% of participants engaged actively in the structure exercise program on a monthly basis between June – September 2011. Presentations on health, diet, obesity, heart disease, nutrition, diabetes, medications, stress, cholesterol and high blood pressure as well as aged care & ACAS services were well received. 30 participants accessed the Sunshine Leisure centre as a result. 12 participants were linked into HACC Council services, 6 participants became members of the Library services. The monthly sessions combined information around health, wellbeing and recreational services together with hands-on exercises involving more than 100 Greek elderly.
Our elderly clients, at our Planning Activity Groups (PAG), participate in a range of activities, relevant to Greek customs and traditions. Recently we celebrated Apokries, the Greek Carnevale. Our elderly made masks and hats which they wore during the party organised by the staff. The participants were served a delicious meal, sweets and coffee, danced and sang, making this a memorable activity. The Greek media published photos of the activity, acknowledging our efforts and the quality, culturally appropriate service provision.
AGWS offers provision of information and referral service for Greek speaking people to improve access to aged care services as well as visits to aged care facilities when requested by clients. This state-wide program provides more appropriate options and placements for Greek people in residential care. Emphasis is given to improving referral and access to ACAS services for older Greek people and improving working relationships with regional ACAS services. The service increases awareness within the community regarding aged care facilities and entry requirements, as well as residential respite.
AGWS delivered 5 information seminars on the topic of medications and safe and wise use to 560 Greek elderly in Sunshine, North Balwyn, Geelong, Rye, and Ballarat from June to September 2011. The topics and key messages covered in the presentations were viewed as beneficial to the Greek seniors and the involvement of a Greek speaking pharmacist in the delivery of the presentations had a positive impact. The pharmacist used the NPS presentation pack for the Safe and wise use of medicines education seminar materials. All participants were provided with Greek flyers and resources on the multi-lingual Webster-packs and had a chance to view the sample Greek packs provided during the session. The resources provided by NPS were culturally and linguistically relevant to the target group. 
The Access & Support positions (formerly SAPP) which are funded by the Department of Health have over the last few years (since the inception of the program) come to play an integral part in the HACC service system. These positions are of particular importance to people of non-English speaking and culturally diverse communities who often need greater support than their Australian counterparts in understanding and accessing HACC and other services. The Access and Support Officers therefore play a vital role in providing information and support to NESB/CALD clients and also in helping them access HACC and related services.
