News

Australian Greek Welfare Society Latest Newsletter

Created: Tuesday, 03 July 2012 10:23

The Australian Greek Welfare Society has produced their latest newsletter- Hellenic e-newsletter, June 2012 edition. 

Topics include:

• Greek Carers in Geelong;
• Greek Carers and their Centrelink Issues;
• Sleep Matters Workshop in the Northern Region;
• Supporting our Greek Residents;
• Supporting Gippsland Aged Care and Health Professionals;
• Family law Information Sessions;
• Dealing Effectively with Stress;
• Emotions and Anxiety;
• Engaging with Greek Speaking Elderly;
• Community Education on the Safe and Wise Use of Medicines;
• Elder Abuse/Intergenerational Issues Forum;
• Volunteers - Every One Counts;
• Greek Cancer Support Group;
•  Greek Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs.

Read the newsletter here

Aged-Care Plan Promised for Culturally Diverse Australians

Created: Thursday, 28 June 2012 11:59

The Federal Government has announced its intention to release a plan that specifically caters to the needs of older Australians from diverse backgrounds.

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said at the ‘Cultural Diversity in Ageing’ conference in Melbourne that he plans to release a “CALD specific aged care strategy” before the end of the year.

“The [strategy] we currently have was written in 1995 and almost two decades on I think it's beyond time for us to update it, and make sure that it meets the needs and challenges of the 21st century,” Butler said.

The new strategy will aim to assist older people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds (CALD) to stay in their homes longer.

The Federal Government has announced its intention to release a plan that specifically caters to the needs of older Australians from diverse backgrounds.

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said at the ‘Cultural Diversity in Ageing’ conference in Melbourne that he plans to release a “CALD specific aged care strategy” before the end of the year.

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Cancer Council Translates Into Different Languages

Created: Thursday, 28 June 2012 11:42

The Cancer Council Australia has launched a website to assist Australians from linguistically diverse backgrounds to access cancer information in their own language.

The Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Cancer Resource Directory is a searchable online library of 600 publications, videos and websites and provides a wide range of information including cancer prevention, treatment and support in 50 different languages.

Cancer Council Australia CEO Professor Ian Olver said the directory was designed to provide a single point of access to cancer resources in Australia published in languages other than English. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate by culture,” Olver said.

“One in four Australians is born overseas and we know that migrants diagnosed with cancer have poorer cancer outcomes than comparable non-migrant groups, with lower screening and survival rates.”

CALD Patient Support Coordinator Anna Epifanio said the site itself was in English, but provided information in a range of languages including Arabic,Chinese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, and Vietnamese.

“Searches can be conducted by resource type (fact sheet, video, website), category (screening,prevention, treatment) keyword and title, and whether the resource has been designed for health professionals or the public.

Visit the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Cancer Research Directory

Happy Eating Project launched by Benetas

Created: Monday, 25 June 2012 15:25

Benetas have launched their Happy Eating Project to improve the lives of older people from Italian, Greek and Macedonian speaking backgrounds who receive Benetas care services.

Addressing an identified need for relevant and culturally-appropriate information about dementia in Victorian communities, the project aims to reduce any stigma associated with dementia by demonstrating respect for the person while also providing helpful information for carers.

The strategies are available on the Benetas website, or through the links below:

Click here to view the strategies for English speaking families.

Click here to view the strategies for Italian speaking families.

Click here to view the strategies for Macedonian speaking families

Click here to view the strategies for Greek speaking families.

For more information, contact Lynne Centner on 03 8823 7900.

Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference: Stories to Inspire

Created: Monday, 18 June 2012 11:35

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing's 7th Conference was held at the Melbourne Convention Centre on 7-8 June 2012 with feedback from delegates indicating it was a highly successful and valuable event.

Titled ‘Cultural Diversity in Ageing 2012 Conference: Stories to Inspire’, the event attracted over 220 people from the aged care and related sectors from across Australia to discuss a broad range of themes associated with the design and delivery of culturally inclusive aged care services.

The two-day event featured an address by the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler MP, 9 keynote presentations, 41 concurrent presentations, 5 poster presentations and 2 workshops, along with a social drinks function, massage and henna. The Centre also launched the ‘Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing Awards for Excellence in Culturally Inclusive Aged Care' which will be awarded annually at each Conference. The award features three separate categories, including the 'Dr Olga Kanitsaki Award for Excellence' which will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and initiative to culturally inclusive care. The award is named in honour of Dr Kanitsaki's innovative work in transcultural care.

A selection of presentations and images are now online, and can be accessed at the Conference webpage here.

To stay notified of all upcoming Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing events and workshops, sign up to the Centre's e-newsletter at the home page here.

Discussion paper launched on Health Services Act

Created: Friday, 22 June 2012 14:49

The Minister for Health has announced a review of the Victorian Health Services (Conciliation and Review) Act, and the Expert Review Panel is seeking input from the public about the Act and Victoria’s healthcare complaints system.

The review aims to ensure that the Act reflects best practice and provides a prompt, responsive and cost-effective system for resolution of health complaints. It also aims to help achieve the government’s health reform priorities.

To have your say, or to find out more, visit http://health.vic.gov.au/hscrareview/.

Anxiety and Depression Information Session at Maltese Community Centre

Created: Friday, 25 May 2012 14:42

The Maltese Community Centre is hosting a free information session on anxiety and depression on Friday the 1st June at 10:30am-11:30am.

Ms Susan Preece from COTA Vic will present information on the effects, signs and where to find services for anxiety and depression.

The event will be held at the Maltese Community Centre - 477 Royal Parade, Parkville.

To register your attendance, contact Paul Lia at the Maltese Community Centre on Ph: 03 9387 8922