Friendship June 2021 - In this issue: Australian Multicultural ...
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Friendship
June 2021
In this issue:
Adult Community Digital Mentoring for
Education seniors
Home Care Support — National Volunteer
the assessment process Week
New Centre-based Day Respite Program in the South
We care, we support, we empower
Message from CEO Nurse’s corner —
Anything is possible
A warm welcome to the June edition of the
AMCS newsletter. I hope you are preparing
We love what we do and are happy to support
anyone you know who may benefit from
with the right people
for the upcoming cool weather and enjoying our care. supporting you
some indoor activities.
This month, we focus on the theme of The world and people are currently
friendship. In this newsletter, you will see suffering. We crave kindness more than
pictures and stories about National Volunteer ever. Friendship helps individuals with
Week held in May. Thank you to our amazing sickness and mental health issues and those
volunteers that care so much for seniors and who lack work and human connections.
their community. Without them, we couldn’t
Seniors are at risk of disadvantage or social
help so many people.
isolation. A mutually respectful relationship
We are happy to offer more face-to-face where they can share their wisdom
groups and sessions, including outings across improves their self-worth.
Victoria like Bendigo and Hepburn Springs. the same risk to mortality as smoking 15
In 2017, Michigan State University cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic.”
Carers, volunteers and clients provided positive
interviewed 7,500 people on Are friends
feedback. Loneliness may also cause disturbed sleep,
better for us than family — “When
As always, please stay safe. We are available Elizabeth Drozd participants reported having strong support high blood pressure, muscle soreness,
for care and support. If we can help, we will. from close friends, they also said they felt headaches and a weakened immune system
CEO, AMCS leading to frequent sickness.
happier.”
Caring comes in numerous forms — Whether you volunteer at a local charity
kindness, generosity, politeness, sensitivity, or show empathy towards someone going
forgiveness and compassion to those less through a tough time, friendship makes a
fortunate. Through companionship, we positive difference in a person’s life.
help others and understand when they
are in need.
Staff profile A 2010 study funded by Brigham Young
University stated, “loneliness posed
Vy Huynh
How long have you been working at AMCS?
One year and one month.
Tell us about your role.
I assist clients with different tasks —
personal care, home care, companionship, I like working for AMCS. The staff are nice, easy-
and transport to appointments like the going, organised and supportive. The company
hospital and shopping. offers heaps of training and mini courses to improve
our work performance and knowledge.
I like helping people, particularly seniors.
When my grandma was alive, she Tell us a bit about yourself.
suggested this career idea. I also enjoy I speak Vietnamese. I like going to the movies and
dealing with different cultures and learning eating out at restaurants and cafés. I try to be as healthy
from seniors, including the lovely Mrs and fit as possible, at all times. I make the most of my life,
Janac, featured in this newsletter. embracing every day with everyone I encounter.
2 Friendship Friendship 3
“There were seven of us living there. We were “We were born in the same Hungarian village
happy in Australia. Afterwards, we rented a next to each other as babies,” she says. “We
place for six months,” she says. “When we shop weekly for food and buy clothes. I have
saved enough money, we built a house and so many clothes. Her daughter is my power
my brother even visited Australia.” of attorney.”
Without knowing a word of English, she In the early 1940s, Maria dabbled in petit
learnt the language in two years by going to point tapestry — fine cross-stitch embroidery.
the movies, watching TV and attending night “My brother taught me. He showed me once,
school. and I liked it,” she explains. “He gave me a
wooden artwork of horses.”
“Whenever I needed small goods, at first, I
used my hands to describe what I wanted,” She displays seven pieces in her home and
she remembers. gifted some to her friends.
Working 9 to 5 AMCS experience
“At 29, I started in a butcher shop with “I’m half paralysed, my eyesight is poor and I
George. He was thirty-one, working outside can’t do much with my right hand and leg,”
with sausages while I operated inside as a she says. “I don’t know how I would survive
sales lady,” she says. “I worked with food at without AMCS. My Support Worker, Vy, keeps
delicatessens most of my life.” my house clean and changes the bedsheets.
She’s nice and we get along well. I’ve had
Meet Maria Janac Life as we know it shoulder operations and received a referral
for physio. I’m lucky to have this help.”
While Maria sadly lost her husband of fifty-
Home Care Package client seven years, she still spends time with her
childhood friend.
Maria has lived an interesting life and speaks “George was a normal, everyday guy,” she
fluent Hungarian, Serbian and English, and says. “The youngest in the family and brought
understands Polish and Russian. up by sisters. They spoilt him and I had to
keep spoiling him.”
“I was born in Serbia in the part that used
to be Hungary before the First World War,” Shortly after their wedding, he left for the
she explains. “My village and school were army at Bosnia.
Hungarian. Even the teachers didn’t speak
“I visited him twice by taking an overnight
Serbian.”
train 600km away. When you’re young, you
Her mother stayed home, and her father survive anything,” she recalls.
passed away when she was young. After the
Due to health issues, Maria could never have
war began, she rarely had enough to eat and
children.
lined up for bread and milk. At age sixteen,
she worked as a housekeeper and learnt
Serbian. Coming to Australia
In 1966, Maria and George migrated to
When Maria met George
Australia because she had a cousin who
Although Maria had boyfriends before, she welcomed them into her 12 square feet
met her husband at a dance and married him house.
six months later at age nineteen.
4 Friendship Friendship 5
National Volunteer
Understanding My Aged Care’s Week — 17 – 23 May
assessment process 2021
We are lucky to have over 140 passionate Marta
Most older Australians prefer to live in their The assessor may ask about your: volunteers; dedicating their time to support
own homes rather than an aged care facility. Marta called Halina, Home Care
seniors at risk of social isolation and
• current support and if it will continue Package client, regularly during
AMCS Home Care Support encourages helping AMCS achieve our vision of a fair
seniors to take charge of their living situation lockdowns. Although Marta does not
• health and lifestyle concerns multicultural society.
and spend time with family and friends. To drive because there is little public
receive support, My Aged Care completes • daily tasks and activities around the home To volunteer, please contact transport around her, she still finds a
a full health and social needs screening, volunteer@amcservices.org.au or request a way to bring Halina’s favourite flowers,
• memory issues Volunteer Coordinator — Milena, Michelle or nasturtium.
organising an assessment by a skilled
assessor. • home and personal safety Sheren — at reception on (03) 9689 9170.
Home Care Support has a long waiting list. • family and community activities
There is no time like the present to research
“For elderly people, there’s a background
your options.
where they don’t speak very good English,”
Max
“Almost 100,000 (people in Australia) are says Caterina, Commonwealth Home Max started visiting seniors two years ago and now drives a
waiting for Home Care Packages. 28,000 Support Programme (CHSP) client. bus for AMCS Centre-based Respite and shopping groups.
died waiting in the last two years,” says Clare He stays back weekly and helps in the Respite Group’s
Language barriers and accessing services
O’Neil, Labor’s Shadow Minister for Aged kitchen.
often associated with being a burden can
Care.
cause delayed or denied support. To increase “I enjoy volunteering. The people I drive, and club
Compared to individuals waiting less than the likelihood for eligibility, answers need to members are family. It’s a fulfilling job and gives me a
30 days for Home Care Support, culturally be detailed and accurate. purpose in retirement,” Max says. “My hobbies include
and linguistically diverse (CALD) seniors, spending time with my grandchildren and racing pigeons
Seniors often state they are adequate in
people living with family and those approved which I’ve done for over 20 years.”
completing daily tasks or downplay the
for care alternatives like respite, permanent
activities they can no longer do. In reality, Max speaks Polish and was a baker in his career.
placement or transition care, expect over
they might have trouble making their bed,
six months (The Journal of Nutrition,
showering or grooming, preparing meals
Health and Aging, 2018). Seniors from
or attending medical appointments due to
multicultural backgrounds may shyly refuse
Home Care Support due to a non-family
mobility issues. Deb
member providing care or lack of culturally The assessor requires precise information on Deb has volunteered for years. Recently, she met Dana,
appropriate services. the areas needing support. Everyone deserves Community Visitors Scheme client, who had a stroke. Her
high-quality care and the chance to keep mobility is limited to a few steps with a walker.
“AMCS has a strong commitment to diversity
living independently and safely at home for as
and inclusion,” says Elizabeth Drozd, AMCS “I pick Dana up weekly, and we set off for a drive. We stop at
long as possible.
CEO. “Our main services focus on supporting a café for coffee and sometimes lunch. Every time, I find a
seniors from diverse cultural backgrounds “My Support Worker speaks Arabic. It’s better different location for a scenery change or shopping trip. Dana
with practical assistance so they can continue for me. I can explain better what I need,” says is happy to go anywhere that gets her out of the house,” Deb
living in their own homes.” George, Home Care Package client. says. “Slowly, I noticed a change in Dana. When I arrive, she is
always smiling and eager to go.”
To learn more about the assessment process, please contact Sinisha, Manager One time, Dana thanked her and asked why Deb helped her.
Access and Engagement, on sinisha.krstov@amcservices.org.au or (03) 8371 2304.
Deb replied, “Dana, why not?”
6 Friendship Friendship 7
Adult Community Education Staff profile
Vesna Trampevska Talevska
City of Maribyrnong residents are eligible for Navigating Microsoft Office
six online education courses and training to
ICT Support Officer and
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint,
improve their career pathways. Excel and Outlook. ACFE Coordinator
“I took the Careers in Aged Care course Time: Wednesdays and Fridays,
because my 73-year-old mother-in-law 10am – 2pm or 5pm – 9pm 1. How long have you worked at AMCS?
moved from Brazil to live with us,” says Frequency: Five sessions, four hours I started in December 2016 as a trainer,
Thelma, former participant and now AMCS each. 20 hours total. delivering ICT (Information and Communications
Emergency Relief Officer. “I wanted to help Technology) courses for iPads and computers.
her. She does not speak any English.” Skills for Work and Study
Improve your reading, writing and maths 2. Tell us about your role.
Careers in Aged Care skills, and identify your career goals.
Update your professional skills in the home I have two roles — ICT Support Officer and
Time: Thursdays and Fridays, 10am – 2pm development. I collaborate with
care industry. ACFE (Age, Community and Further Education)
and 5pm – 9pm community centres, libraries,
Coordinator.
Time: Saturdays 10am – 2pm Frequency: 35 sessions, four hours each. neighbouring councils and
Frequency: Six sessions, four hours each. 24 140 hours total. ICT Support Officer providers.
hours total. I take care of office equipment, and help staff
Thelma also completed the Multicultural 3. Tell us about yourself.
Employment Pathways with logging in to remote desktop, software
Leadership Course. “The lessons brought In 2013, I came to Australia from
applications and fix anything not working. My
Learn about employment opportunities and me not only knowledge and passion but Macedonia. I speak Macedonian,
best achievement is supplying and training
gain skills to attain paid work. also an incredible job at AMCS,” she says. “I Serbian, Croatian, a little Russian and
Samsung tablets to 125 Support Workers,
Time: To be confirmed am forever grateful. Assisting people makes Italian. Being multilingual helps me
easing their workload.
my day.” to interact with clients and Support
Frequency: Five sessions, three hours each.
15 hours total. ACFE Coordinator Workers.
To be eligible, you must be an Australian or
New Zealand citizen, or hold an Australian AMCS is a Local Learn provider, offering My son, Vasilij, is six and my
Introduction to MYOB Software
permanent visa. For questions, please six free recognised industry courses daughter, Niki, is 19 months.
Complete financial and accounting tasks like contact Vesna, ACFE Coordinator, on for Australia’s permanent residents My hobbies are their hobbies —
invoicing, budgeting and payroll. training@amcservices.org.au, 0422 226 105 and citizens living in the City of colouring, writing, reading, walks
Time: Saturdays 10am – 2pm or (03) 9689 9170. Maribyrnong. We help students to park, puzzles, cartoons and
Frequency: Five sessions, four hours each. 20 explore options for their movies, and games. We love the
hours total. careers and their outdoors, travelling and visiting
professional different places.
Multicultural Leadership Course
Learn how to apply for government funding
and the support services available in the not-
for-profit sector.
Time: Tuesdays 5pm – 9pm, Saturdays 1pm –
5pm
Frequency: Eight sessions, four hours each
plus one three-hour session. 35 hours total.
8 Friendship Friendship 9
Introducing...
Centre-based Day Respite
Program in the South
The Centre-based Day Respite Program Sri Lankan and South Indian
gives carers a break to take care of their own Respite Group
health and wellbeing, while AMCS support
their dependants with activities like gentle For care recipients from a Sri Lankan
exercises, singing, dancing, craft, cooking, or South Indian background.
guest speakers, games and technology
Time:
training.
Tuesdays, 10:00am – 2:30pm
AMCS is pleased to introduce two new
groups in Melbourne’s Southern Region. Contact:
Nalika Ahangamaa
Eastern European Respite Group Respite Group Coordinator
M: 0403 158 359
For care recipients from an Eastern European
background. E: nalika.ahangama@amcservices.org.au
Time: Address:
Fridays, 10:00am – 2:30pm James Cook Children’s Centre
55-63 James Cook Drive
Contact:
Endeavour Hills VIC 3802
Beata Radloff
Respite Group Coordinator Thanks to the Australian Government’s
subsidy, only a small weekly fee applies.
M: 0403 165 648
Transport and culturally tailored food
E: beata.radloff@amcservices.org.au provided.
Digital Mentoring Program
and Digital Friends
AMCS provide free training for volunteers to community engagement programs and made While seniors learn: Photo: Nalika and Ursula
mentor multicultural seniors to learn new many friends. Connecting online has given
• basic technology
digital skills. her the opportunity to enjoy her hobbies
while caring for Piya. • video calls Geetha is now a mentor. “I initially refused
Ursula, an 80-year-old active senior and was afraid to become a mentor. After
and primary carer for her husband, Piya, • iPad usage participating in an online event, I grew
Mentors receive:
loves mixing with the community. During confident to help others. I feel strong now. I
COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, she saw • Microsoft Office
• learning resources and guides know where to go if I have a problem online.”
a flyer for this project. She contacted our
Project Coordinator, Nalika, around the time • Coles voucher “My mentor was friendly and helped me learn We welcome seniors to join the Digital
of Piya’s 84th birthday. Nalika suggested a My Aged Care app. I now know how to use Mentoring Program and encourage
• training completion certificate
Zoom party to celebrate with loved ones. online banking and order local food with volunteers to be a digital mentor. Please
• police check (mandatory) confidence,” says Geetha, former program contact Nalika on nalika.ahangama@
After Ursula learnt Zoom from her digital participant. amcservices.org.au or 0403 158 359.
mentor, she joined other AMCS online • follow up and ongoing support
10 Friendship Friendship 11
Staff and volunteers’ anniversaries —
May to June 2021
Thank you to our staff and volunteers for their incredible dedication and
support to the seniors in our communities. Many of them have reached
anniversary milestones with us during the months of May to June.
Staff Diaz Alvarez, Sonia 2 years in June
Czajkowski, Jolanta 20 years in May Eid Saade, Salwa 7 years in May
Dygut, Magdalena 5 years in May Groves, Stella 1 year in May
Kapelan, Helen 5 years in May Halman, Kadriye 1 year in May
Serafin, Andrzej 5 years in June Harasimowicz, Julia 12 years in May
Smalec, Marek 10 years in May Heales, Denise 3 years in June
Touma, Georgette 5 years in June Krstov, Sinisha 3 years in May
Nunez De Moreno, Sonia 4 years in May
Volunteers Piovesan, Dalida 1 year in May
Boberska, Joanna 1 year in June Pysk, Irena 4 years in June
Civitico, Elizabeth 2 years in May Zacharski, Andrzej 2 years in June
Melbourne Office Geelong Office
Suite 111, 44-56 Hampstead Road Suite 6, 79 High Street
Maidstone VIC 3012 Belmont VIC 3216
(03) 9689 9170 (03) 5241 2446
info@amcservices.org.au geelongoffice@amcservices.org.au
www.amcservices.org.au
@AMCSAgedCare @amcs_melb linkedin.com/company/amcs Australian Multicultural
Community Services (AMCS)
Note: AMCS prioritises the safety of clients, volunteers, staff and community groups. The majority of the photos
in this newsletter were taken prior to the pandemic. Therefore, social distancing wasn't required.
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