How Multicultural Care Helped Mr Kotsoris Thrive After Loss

Greek-born Mr Trifon Kotsoris is 92-years-old and until recently was living independently with his much- loved wife. A few years ago, their son James moved from Melbourne to live close-by in a self-contained flat behind their home where he could more easily help them when needed.

Sadly, Mrs Kotsoris passed away in early 2022. Although there was some care in place to help James, Mr Kotsoris’s functional abilities were declining due to being less active and social. Despite the challenges, Mr Kotsoris and his family wanted him to remain living at home.

Mr Kotsoris was approved for a Short term Restorative Care (STRC) package and James was connected with Multicultural Care and our coordinator, Sharon.

“The STRC package was a surprise. It came out of the blue. I didn’t know we were entitled to it. It was a massive help and the forerunner to the Level 4 Home Care Package being introduced for dad,” explains James, who adds that his father speaks limited English.

Sharon met James and his father and put in place an intensive program to help Mr Kotsoris around the home and increase his social interactions.

“Over the 8 weeks of the STRC program, we arranged for a physiotherapist once a week, a podiatrist a few times, house cleaning once a week, personal care three times a week and social support and shopping for three hours a week,” Sharon says.

“Mr Kotsoris attended our Greek centre based respite once a week and we were also able to have the lawn mowed and gutters cleaned.”

For James, the STRC support was a great help and gave him a good introduction to Multicultural Care’s services. At the end of the program, with Sharon’s help, his father was approved for a Home Care Package and able to seamlessly continue the services and supports put in place earlier.

“The help is amazing because he can’t shower himself and he gets to go out twice a week, which is really good. The social interaction is a big thing after losing mum,” James says.

“Without the help, we’d be in a lot of trouble. Sharon was great. She showed us what was available for the funds available and she made sure that we were able to use all the funds, which is a benefit for us and for Multicultural Care.”

James has been impressed by the quality of service from Multicultural Care and he knows his father enjoys the company of his Greek speaking carer who takes him out to social activities.

“The workers come on time, and we are updated when there are changes. It’s very important for older people to have consistency. Dad knows Monday, Wednesday and Friday he has showers and Tuesday and Thursday are outings. He’s got that consistency now. He knows there is something to look forward to.”

For Sharon, Mr Kotsoris is just one client of many whom she has been proud to help access an STRC package.

“Mr Kotsoris is a good client. We’ve helped him a lot. He’s less withdrawn now and is mobilising a lot better. It’s great to see,” she says.

“I love helping older people and trying to make life for them just a bit better. Every client is different, but to be able to help them is amazing.”

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