Communicating with and Caring for Greek-Speaking Older People

1. Communicating with and Caring for Greek-Speaking Older People

2. Yiassou! Please contact GOC Care’s OMONOIA Program by phone: (07) 3249 1010 or email: dimitria.notaras@goccare.com.au to request information &/or resources about providing culturally and linguistically appropriate care practices when caring for Greek–speaking older people in the community and in residential aged-care facilities.

3. GOC Care’s OMONOIA Program • aims to promote better access to aged care services for people of Greek-speaking and Greek cultural backgrounds. • is funded by the Greek Orthodox Community of St George, South Brisbane.

4. Aim of this Resource is: To offer practical information about: • Greek Family structure • Greek Culture: religion, food, music, etc • Other considerations • How to interact and communicate with Greek-speaking older people

5. What is Culture? Culture is a system of values, beliefs and attitudes that shape our perception and behaviour

6. OMONOIA aims to support • Greek speaking seniors (and their carers) and connect them with their culture, community and with aged care services most suitable to their needs, whether they are living at home or in a residential aged-care facility. • service providers with their Greek Cald residents/ clients and their family/carers, through provision of web-based resources and information.

7. Which factors are responsible for creating a ‘Culture’? • Geographical location • Historical events- invasions, war, natural disasters • Governing powers-democratic, military, communist/socialist, dictatorships, etc. • Blood relations • Family dynamics • Shared interests e.g sub-cultures • A need for belonging.

8. Greek people are sometimes described as • complex • emotional • spontaneous • open • welcoming • friendly Beware of making assumptions as each individual is different and comes with their own unique character, past experiences and interests that may not fit the usual stereotype.

9. Not all Greek-speaking migrants in Australia came from Greece. They also migrated from: • Cyprus • Egypt • Turkey • South Africa • Romania • Albania • Syria • f.y.r.o.m (former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia)

10. Greek Migration in Australia • In the early 1900’s the Greek community of Queensland settled in Brisbane and North Queensland. They originated from Asia Minor (Turkish Peninsula) , the Dodecanese Islands such as Rhodes and Kastelorizo and from the Island of Kythera, which belongs to the Ionian group of Islands. • The 2nd large wave of Greek-speaking Migration was due to the Australian Migration Policy (50’s and 60’s) – people arrived from Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus and many other Islands.

11. Statistics • Greek-Ageing population of Qld, growth rate will peak between 2011and 2021(4 times more than Australian-born older people-Hassett&George2002:623). • Greek migrant population will be at it’s oldest between 2011-2015 and remain stable until 2024. • 2011-2026:- 1 in every 10 CALD older people will be Greek–born immigrants (higher number if based on Greek-speaking.)

12. Family Structure • Generally, Greek families are supportive and protective of family, although they may ‘war’ with each other. • Extended family includes-aunts, uncles, grandparents, god-parents, the ‘best man or ‘best woman’ at your wedding (Koumbari), god-children, in-laws and their extended families, close friends and neighbours. • ‘Family honour’ and a ‘Good reputation’ is important. • Traditionally, children care for elderly parents. • Guilt/Shame- if children don’t look after their parents. • Family/community- the ‘village’ is more important than the individual.

13. Religion • Most Greek-speaking older people identify with the Greek (Christian) Orthodox Faith. some Greek-speaking migrants may be Evangelists or Catholic. • The church is the spiritual, cultural and often social hub of the Greek Community. • Most common fasting periods (i.e no meat, dairy products or fish) - 40 days of Lent, 40 days before Christmas and the 2 week fast between the 1st-15th August (Dormition of the Virgin Mary) • A Greek Name day is the feast day of a saint who an individual is named after. Birthdays are less significant.

14. Health • Allied Health Services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy are not recognised as significant as G.P services. • Initially, all private examinations should be referred to a same-gender doctor. • Privacy is very important. • Avoid using the ‘C’ word (Cancer)

15. Food • Meal times are a social experience • Dishes of food are shared and placed in the centre of the table for people to serve themselves. • Fish and lamb are popular for main meals or meze. • Salads- olive oil and lemon juice/vinegar dressing. • Food preparation-traditionally undertaken by the women.

16. Communicating with Greek-speaking Aged Care Facility Residents or Clients in the community. • For Greek people, your body language/ facial gestures, tone of voice and facial expressions are more important than the ‘words’ you speak. • Communication is 93% non-verbal versus only 7% verbal. • Hands/shoulder touching is considered appropriate when greeting, chatting or supporting others, even strangers. • Direct eye contact is expected when communicating with Greek people. • Avoid using Aussie colloquialisms. Send clear messages.

17. Helpful Phrases • Ka-li-mera- Good day • Yia-sou- Hello/ Good-bye • Ti ka-nis- How are you? • Ef-hari-sto- Thank-you • Para-kalo- Please • Ohi- No • Ne- Yes • Before meal say Ka-liO-re-ksi (Good Appetite/Bon Appetit) • After a meal say Ka-li Ho-nepsi (Good Digestion)

18. Personal Hygiene • Most Greeks are very proud and they like to be well dressed and groomed. • Personal hygiene routines need to be respected and encouraged - check details and preferences with family. • General rule- carer/nurse to be of same gender as client when providing assistance with personal care.

19. Palliative Care • Palliative Care treatment is preferred at home with spouse &/ or children-feelings of abandonment when cared for by unfamiliar, non-family caregivers. • Shame and guilt deters spouses and children from seeking support outside the family such as residential aged care. • Euthanasia-strictly forbidden by the ‘Orthodox Faith’ • Contact resident’s parish priest for support. • Phone GOC - on 3844 3669 to speak to a priest.

20. Death and Dying • If possible and time allows, contact the priest who is nominated by the family,prior to death, for the administering of Holy Communion. • Grief is openly expressed. • Cremation is not acceptablefor Orthodox Christians. • Funeral- farewell procession past home of the deceased is requested by some families. . • Some Greek people prefer an open coffin, but it is not a common request here in Australia. • Close family members wear black for the first year after the death.

21. Useful Contacts • My Aged Care - 1800 200 422 (National Contact Centre) • GOC Care - 07 32491010 • Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of St George, Brisbane - 07 3844 3669 • National Dementia Helpline (Dementia Australia) -1800 100 500

22. Sources • Greek Culture Profile, Diversicare, Townsville (2006) • Caring for Australian-Greek Residents in Aged Care Facilities, Australian Greek Welfare Society, Melbourne (2001) • A history of Greek migration and settlement to Australia by Stavros T.Stavridis • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for Dept of Health and Ageing, “Projections of Older Immigrants- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds”(1996-2026, Australia) • ‘Residential aged care nurses caring for dementia residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds’ Valerie Adams, Hawke Research Institute, University of South Australia (2009)