An article in a local Greek language publication, Neos Kosmos (http://neoskosmos.com/news/el/node/64755), has highlighted the amazing work that Nextt does for the most vulnerable people in Australia’s ethnic communities.
97-year old Dimosthenis Papantoniou spent 22 days in nursing care before coming to the realisation that he “did not want to die” in a nursing home. His wife is suffering from dementia, and at first he thought he would live in the nursing home with her, though he was in good health, so that was medically unnecessary. He couldn’t handle the conditions, however For many elderly with an ethnic background, it’s a common story; in addition to the unfamiliar setting of a nursing home, these people often feel uncomfortable being outside of their communities and thrust into unfamiliar cultures and practices not of their own.
But Papantoniou needed help. While he was physically capable of continuing to do things that he was familiar with; such as light gardening – he is also from a generation that has left him unable to do many household chores that traditionally the women of the house would handle; he doesn’t understand how to cook, for example.
Papantoniou’s children have also moved away and work, and he no longer has a driving license, restricting his mobility and his ability to frequently visit his wife. And this is where Nextt has been able to help.
As Papantoniou says in the article: “Once a week comes a lady to clean the house, another to cook and one to go shopping. All this is free of charge. My wife gives her a pension in the nursing home and I live and I maintain the house with my own.”
Nextt’s leading service has been able to provide Papantoniou with the ability to remain independent and active, while also covering the areas that he struggles in. This is a service that we are proud to offer elderly people in all ethnic communities across Australia.