A psychosocial approach to educating older refugees Sue Cunningham STARTTS

“This program is very nice and helpful. It helps us to reduce our stress that we have experienced in our country. We have many problems in our hearts and this program has helped us to enjoy everything“ Assyrian woman

About OPICT Service for the Treatment & Rehabilitation of Torture & Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) One of STARTTS’ Community Development programs Based on foundation program Families in Cultural Transition (FICT)

OPICT is... a group based psychosocial education program to assist older refugees to learn new skills as they age

Why this program Common problems faced by older refugees include: Social isolation Not understanding Australian systems Difficulties accessing health and aged care services Intergenerational conflict exacerbated by living in a new culture

Principles of OPICT Strengths based Facilitated conversations not information sessions Facilitated in the first language of the participants Shared learning – participants discuss ideas and share knowledge

How is it run? Based on a kit of materials We train bicultural facilitators who speak the language of the participants Has been run with existing groups (so far) 2 hour sessions usually weekly 8 sessions include excursion

Module topics Introduction Healthy ageing Home and community safety Money Family Lifestyle Support Services Enjoying the Environment

Three levels of need Practical: safety in the home, healthy ageing including physical exercise, food and nutrition, safe use of medication, budgeting Conceptual: how the social security system works for people as they age Emotional: discussions around the grandparenting role, communicating with adult children, being a carer for a spouse

Activity example Grandparenting in a new culture Based on short case study and discussion questions Facilitators reported that case studies were helpful, enabling participants to talk about another person’s experience

Evaluation of OPICT Final trial of materials Four recent groups: Assyrian, Spanish speaking and two Serbian groups Interviewed facilitators and participants

Findings – facilitators Established their “credentials” – trust Used the flexibility of the materials to meet needs Used guest speakers for some topics Some topics similar to other programs but psychosocial approach validates refugees’ experiences

Findings –participants Use Most Significant Change methodology 2 questions “ Thinking back to when you first came to the program until now, have their been any changes for you? What have they been? “ What made them happen ?”

Findings- participants Ageing through the group process is easier – we are not alone & can support each other “This is the first time since I came to Australia that I’ve been able to talk about the process. How painful it was to leave Chile, our family. I feel free now to talk about it.” “ As a refugee I don’t need to feel ashamed’” Some participants took immediate action following session – eg. Webster packs, transport concession cards

Findings- cont Often hard to remember information due to ageing process – need to know how to access support needed (use of interpreters) “ We’ve had a lot of problems with Centrelink so having the number of the (Multicultural Services Officer) to call is very helpful.” Having guest speakers provided opportunity to ask difficult questions “ I could ask about extremely private topic like sexual disease and get access to the right place.”

What made the changes happen? Facilitators spoke our language and understood our circumstances Facilitators were well prepared and asked us at the beginning what we wanted to talk about We could forget our problems for a while and enjoy being at the group We liked sharing food together

Future plans Finalise materials and make them available Expand program QUESTIONS? THANK YOU