Greek Elders in the Service Context
Caring for elderly people is a central part of traditional family life in Greek culture. It is a responsibility as intrinsic to the family as the raising of children. This responsibility has encompassed the full range of direct care needs, even for the most frail: showering, bathing and toileting, preparing meals, feeding, managing medication, recreational and social activities, and family, cultural and religious activities, and financial affairs.
The notion of a non-family member caring for an elderly person in a professional capacity represents a significant shift in the mindset of Greek family members. It presents a major emotional shift in the relationship between the elderly and their adult children, as the relevance of traditional roles, expectations and obligations is thrown into question. The fast pace of modern urban life is not comparable with the experience of traditional village community, which is the background for so many Greek elders. In that setting all functions, duties and roles were centred around a multi-generational home and linked into a deeply interconnected social network. Here everyone knew each other, their families and the history of each other’s clan.
The realities of a busy working life in suburban Melbourne often mean that adult children in Greek families live separately from their elderly parents. Their work and family commitments often do not afford the time or opportunity to provide practical care for their elderly parents. The traditional sense of obligation has necessarily been reframed, causing a degree of stress and tension between children and elderly parents.
It is important that service providers be aware of and acknowledge the emotional stress that clients and families may be experiencing when they first make contact. The loss of independence that elderly people experience as their physical or mental health deteriorates is an obvious cause of stress for all families. For Greek Australians, the problem is likely to be compounded because the traditional family obligation to care is being transgressed. The elder may feel doubly abandoned; the children are likely to feel strong shame and guilt.