Living in Melbourne during the pandemic, the most cumulatively locked down city in the world, has put an incredibly strain on all elders’ mental health.
But Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS), a Victorian support service, reports that elders from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds have been at a heightened risk of isolation and distress.
AMCS chief executive officer, Elizabeth Drozd, tells Aged Care News that lockdowns, and consequent disruption to AMCS services, has meant the loss of primary social connections for many of their members.
“[We] support senior clients from ethnic backgrounds, and some do not have family in Australia or Melbourne,” Drozd says.
“Some clients live at home alone and really felt isolated and alone during lockdown.”
To overcome the barriers posed by lockdown, AMCS came up with a range of online alternatives such as bilingual bingo sessions and letter and card writing.
”Many volunteers created handmade cards for seniors, some writing in their own language,” Drozd says.
“It was challenging for seniors to not have visitors, due to the lockdown, however we received feedback from aged care facilities that the residents’ faces brighten when receiving the cards.”
Furthermore, AMCS launched ‘Postal Friend’, a monthly newsletter featuring jokes, competitions and general updates available in Arabic, English, Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
Drozd says that services centred around specific language and cultural needs is vital in ensuring best quality care and support for CALD elders.
“When people get older, some revert to their mother language. Others do not speak English at all.
“Seniors with volunteers who speak their language celebrate many cultural activities together… and makes seniors feel like they are understood and valued, and they can still connect with their traditions.”
With lockdowns easing in Melbourne, AMCS volunteer Deb Harris has happily resumed her weekly drives with Dana Radunkovic.
The two have been partnered since Radunkovic recently experienced a stroke.
“We stop at a café for coffee and sometimes lunch,” Harris says.
“Every time, I find a different location for a scenery change or a shopping trip.”
“Slowly, I’ve noticed a change in Dana. When I arrive, she is always smiling and eager to go.”
AMCS currently has 226 clients from 42 countries of birth and speaking 23 languages.
The organisation consists of 169 volunteers from 52 countries of birth, speaking 34 languages.
“We are grateful to be able to work alongside such a diverse range volunteers, staff and clients,” Drozd says.
AMCS match volunteers to elders through three programs:
- Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) Home Care,
- Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) Residential Care
- Social Support Individual (SSI)
Volunteer visitor programs are available for all residential aged care, home care package recipients (any provider or self-managed), or through a referral from My Aged Care.
Follow this link to find out more about AMCS programmes.
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