According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018 data, there are 2.65 million carers in Australia. In other words, 1 in 10 Australians provide care for another person. In Victoria, the number of carers is 703,000 – which represents 11 per cent of the state’s population – with approximately three quarters of caregivers being female (Deloitte Access Economics, 2020).
Almost one tenth of Australians in the workforce combine work with an unpaid caring role. The competing responsibilities that stem from this dual role can be incredibly stressful for people providing care and warrant implementation of flexible work arrangements to ensure job satisfaction and high levels of retention and productivity for workplaces.
Caring experiences may differ between cultures, but also, within cultures. No culture is homogenous and while there may be some common elements, each person is unique and their response to universal issues, such as caring for the elderly, coping with a terminal illness, receiving a diagnosis and dealing with change, may differ from others experiencing the same issue.
In the Greek Australian community, whilst 96+ per cent are citizens and part of the ‘mainstream Australian culture’, traditional notions still exist in certain cohorts, meaning that there are some expectations that adult children must look after the elderly. Particularly, daughters often become responsible for the practical things of caring, and sons deal with finances and property.
Although Greek culture nowadays is generally considered individualist, remnants of collectivism are still prominent for certain cohorts of Greek migrants, particularly, those who originate from rural Greece. This means extended family is also often involved in the decision-making process. However, one size does not fit all.
Our recommendation (at PRONIA) has always been to have a person-centred approach and endeavour to meet the needs of each individual as they present.
PRONIA has been an ardent advocate for carers for many years. Up until June 2022, the organisation had been implementing the Victorian Government-funded Supporting Carers Locally Program – Imaste Mazi, which supported carers through a range of activities and services, such as digital literacy sessions, bilingual workshops with Carers Victoria, and telephone support groups. Participants in the program also had the opportunity to be linked to additional support services, including counselling, aged care packages, and palliative care.
Participants’ impressions and feedback from the program were overwhelmingly positive. Importantly, many reported that having someone to talk to and creating new connections at a time when Victoria was experiencing significant pandemic restrictions, was desperately needed. PRONIA has just commenced the implementation of a similar government-funded program – the Victorian Support for Carers Program – which aims to continue supporting carers with activities and services, like iPad and computer sessions for Greek-speaking Australians aged 65 years and over, telephone support groups, health and wellbeing sessions, counselling, short-term respite, emergency relief, and carer meetups and forums.
Anyone who is a carer or knows a carer who might benefit from these services, is strongly encouraged to contact PRONIA by phone on 0393889998 or via email at casework@pronia.com.au
*Anesti Mavrides is a Project Worker- Carer Engagement at PRONIA
