Dr Leena Vuorinen Australian Finnish Rest Home Association Cultural Diversity in Ageing Melbourne
This presentation Finnish community in Australia Australian Finnish Rest Home Association (AFRHA) History Services Practices and pathways to provide culturally relevant services and care
Finnish community in Australia Census 2011: About people with Finnish heritage About people born in Finland Largest communities: South East QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) Melbourne Sydney Canberra
Finnish community in Australia (cont.) Biggest migration waves in late 50’s and late 60’s Last three decades migration from Finland has declined Finnish population in Australia is rapidly ageing Aged care and services for older Finnish population needed
Australian Finnish Rest Home Association (AFRHA) Established in 1975 Not-for-profit organisation Located in Thornlands in QLD Collaboration with Finnish communities in Melbourne and Canberra Our mission: Provide support and care to the aged with particular consideration of those with Finnish heritage
Nursing home; Finlandia Village Total of 45 beds 15 dedicated to dementia specific care One high care respite Single bedrooms
Retirement village; Finlandia villas 23 two bed room villas Nicely located on 1.5 hectares land Semi rural setting
HACC services: Finncare Covering three regions: Brisbane South, Brisbane North and West Moreton Some 500 clients 130 out of them with Finnish background Domestic assistance, Social Support, Day Centre and Allied Health
Common culturally sensitive practices Bilingual staff (~ 50 %) Celebrating both Finnish and Australian fests Finnish cuisine Activities (music, movies, handcrafts etc.) Sauna
Gym Total of 9 rehabilitation equipment for seniors 8 strength and resistance machines One cardio machine: “sitting down” cross trainer HUR:
Personalised gym program Computer operated Smart Card Sets weights, repetition times and rest breaks Keeps records; performance, improvement Trained staff One to one support safe and reliable
Gym Fall prevention Some equipment have wheel chair access Gym users: Residents, both from our nursing home and villas Day Centre groups People from wider community Partnerships with other service providers AFRHA employees
What gym users say Machines are gentle Gym is a social hub Very relaxing A lot of fun and laugh Nice and helpful staff Old bodies need them!
Poro cafe Established 6 th December 2011 Open two days/week Volunteer operated Daily baked pastries and confectionary Goods imported from Finland
Poro cafe Great arena for wider community and residents to get together Provides opportunities to residents to exercise their independence Fundraising for the organisation Volunteering opportunities
Comments about Poro cafe This is a nice place to meet with friends I love to take my visitors here for cuppa. I enjoy doing my shopping. They have lovely Finnish things here. Coffee is great!
Student placement Partnership with universities and vocational schools in Finland 15 – 20 students/year Social services, nursing, physiotherapy Students design, develop and complete projects benefitting our service delivery
Student placement (cont.) Professional exchange; best practices and new trends in aged care in Finland and Australia Cultural exchange; contemporary language, life style and culture Residents and clients enjoy meeting with young people and chatting in Finnish
Thank you for your attention!